Carlton's courageous utility Sam Docherty will make one of the quickest comebacks from a knee reconstruction in AFL history when he returns for the Blues' elimination final against the Brisbane Lions.
The 30-year-old will return to action just 183 days after being hurt against the same opponent at the Gabba, the venue of the knockout final on Saturday night.
It means Docherty’s recent three games will all come against the club he was drafted by in 2011, after playing in last year's preliminary final defeat to Brisbane, the season-opening win, and now another sudden-death final.
When the former Blues co-captain was injured on March 8, it was just stated as fact he would miss the entire campaign.
AFL players tend to take up to 12 months to recover from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), but Docherty - who has twice beaten testicular cancer - has made it back in six.
Even several weeks ago when the prospect of him playing again this season was first raised, the idea seemed far-fetched and hard to fathom.
"He's put a lot of time and effort into getting back, and once you set your mind to something - he's the motivated type to get it done," Carlton vice-captain Jacob Weitering said on Tuesday.
"The boys were stoked and I'm sure he'll do a job for us this weekend.
"Sam, I would have said he's a chance (to play again this season back in June), but maybe if you said anyone else it's probably a long shot.
"It just says a lot about him as a person ... his commitment to the team and our mission and the higher purpose of ultimately winning a premiership.
"He knows he probably hasn't got a whole lot longer left in the system and he's certainly pushing to do that for us."
Collingwood forward Daniel McStay returned in round 19 this year, 234 days after he ruptured his ACL at training.
Western Bulldogs great Tony Liberatore holds the record for the fastest successful comeback, going down in round five 1998 and playing again by round 21 in the same season.
Other players such as David Schwartz (Melbourne) attempted to rush back, but then were injured again soon after.
Docherty won't be the only Carlton player back to face the Lions, with key forwards Charlie Curnow (ankle) and Harry McKay (quad) pressing their cases at training on Monday.
Defender Mitch McGovern (hamstring), utility Zac Williams (hamstring), ruckman Tom de Koning (foot) and midfielder Adam Cerra (hamstring) are also a chance to play.
"It's obviously tough going into selection this week, there might be a few changes," Weitering said.
"I wouldn't say it's a risk (to bring back so many players at once)."
Weitering missed Carlton's rousing comeback win against the Lions in March, but believes the Blues will take plenty out of winning at the Gabba fortress.
"The way the boys responded, especially the last 90 seconds, was pretty incredible to watch, the way we iced the game," the newly-minted All-Australian defender said.
"They (Brisbane) got it done in the prelim (last year). We got it done at the start of the year.Â
"All that matters is the next contest come come Saturday night."
