HE’S broken bones, ruined knees and been knocked unconscious on all corners of the globe.
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But it wasn’t until he set foot on an Ovens and Murray field that Lavington recruit Truman Carroll added another “notch” to his lengthy injury belt.
“I’d never had a screw in my body until I broke my hand in the twos against Albury earlier this year,” Carroll said.
Given the path Carroll has taken to Lavington, it’s remarkable his body is any condition to play football at all.
The son of former South Melbourne player Wayne only resumed his football career this season after spending the past seven years touring the world with the Crusty Demons and Nitro Circus as a freestyle motocross rider.
It was a career that took him across Europe, Africa and the US but, following the birth of his son Knox eight months ago, wife Liana “put the foot down and said I’ve got to start doing something a little less risky”.
“It’s good when it’s good but it’s a different story when you come off and bounce on the ground in a foreign country,” Carroll said of his touring life.
The 30-year-old is now happily living with his family in Wagga but instead of returning to Turvey Park, where he last played in 2010, Carroll followed brother-in-law Daniel Hitchens to Lavington Oval.
Broken ribs in the pre-season, along with the broken hand suffered in June, slowed Carroll’s progress as a Panther but he has held his spot since making his senior debut against Yarrawonga in round 17
“It’s probably not your traditional path to the Ovens and Murray, is it?” Carroll, who played a handful of games with Sydney Swans’ reserves, said.
“I’m always up for a challenge so I thought I would blow the cobwebs out and test myself out down there.
“It’s been unreal.
“It’s been a big eye opener for me with the professionalism and the quality of players throughout the league.”
Carroll was fanatical with his pressure and attack on the ball-carrier in last week’s big qualifying final win over the Pigeons and will be looking to replicate that against Albury in Saturday’s second semi-final at Birallee Park.
“I haven’t seen them play but I know they’re a strong, big-bodied group with exceptional skills,” he said.
Xavier Mardling
Xavier started at The Border Mail in Albury-Wodonga in 2001, covering sport and general news before moving to the subs' desk. He was editor of his hometown masthead from 2016 to 2020 before swapping the Murray for Merewether. He returned to The Border Mail as editor in 2023.
Xavier started at The Border Mail in Albury-Wodonga in 2001, covering sport and general news before moving to the subs' desk. He was editor of his hometown masthead from 2016 to 2020 before swapping the Murray for Merewether. He returned to The Border Mail as editor in 2023.
