On the first day of the their Induction Camp in Melbourne, the new Brisbane Lions recruits were joined by senior team-mate Brent Staker, who was invited by the AFLPA to present on the challenges associated with injuries.

Staker addressed the 145 first year AFL players on Monday morning, providing them with a detailed insight into coping with long periods of rehabilitation.

The 27 year-old played just seven senior matches in 2011 after suffering a ruptured ACL in the team’s season opener against Fremantle, and will soon undergo his second consecutive knee reconstruction which will keep him sidelined for the entire 2012 season.

But the versatile big man has remained positive throughout the process and is determined to be ready for the start of 2013.

Staker said he was more than happy to share his own personal experiences with the latest influx of AFL athletes.

“At the AFLPA’s annual delegates meeting, they asked me if I could come along to the Induction Camp and speak with the young guys about dealing with injury setbacks. I thought it would be a great experience to help out,” Staker said.

“I basically shared my experiences with injury at both West Coast and the Lions, and spoke about how I stayed motivated during that time.”

“I suffered three separate hand injuries- a broken thumb, wrist and knuckle - at West Coast, and then had two knee reconstructions at the Lions. But prior to that, I had never been injured before.”

Staker said it was important for young players to remain positive and focussed throughout their rehabilitation.

“I mentioned to the guys that they need to keep positive and develop strong support networks around them.”

“For me, I have just listed different goals I wanted to achieve throughout the process. I find that keeps me healthy and sane throughout the whole rehab process.”

“It’s not as bad as most people think, but for young guys it’s about building relationships with coaches and people within the Club - development officers and team-mates - so that when they’re injured, they’re not lonely.”

“I also encouraged them to speak up because first year players can tend to go into their shell a bit.”

Staker was also reunited at the Induction Camp with his former Lions house-mate Xavier Clarke who is currently working with the AFL’s Indigenous Programs.

He said Clarke’s void at the household had since been filled by Josh Green.

“Last year it was myself, Patrick Karnezis and Xavier Clarke,” Staker said.

“So when Xavier left, we had to put out a tender and ended up recruiting Josh Green - he was our number one draft pick.”