Myrtleford utility Riley O'Shea could be one of the few positive stories to emerge from the coronavirus crisis as he targets a stunning comeback this year.
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O'Shea required a right knee reconstruction following the Saints' thrilling first semi-final win over Albury last September.
The 28-year-old was set to miss the entire season, but the potential for a later finish would work in his favour.
Of course, all community football is cancelled until at least May 31 and there's growing fears the season could be called off.
The Border Mail contacted 15 players on Monday and nine said they don't expect to play.
"Yeah, definitely (a later finish would help me) and I've been reading about the players thoughts, but it's not too much of a concern for me at the moment given everything, obviously work's more of a priority," the mature O'Shea said.
I've been running for over a month now, just straight line stuff ... making sure the knee can handle it.
- Riley O'Shea
The forward-cum-pinch-hit ruckman had surgery last October and did suffer a hiccup
"I had a Baker's cyst that ruptured and the fluid leaked into my calf, which has kept the calf a bit fat for probably six to eight weeks, but it absorbs back into the body over time, which it's done fully now," he said.
"It's probably put me four weeks behind."
O'Shea started weights around six weeks post surgery.
"I've been doing a heap of gym exercises up until now, obviously with the gyms closing, there's been a slow down, I've got to get a bit creative," he offered.
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"I've been running for over a month now, just straight line stuff, building up the distances and making sure the knee can handle it."
If play starts, the O and M has three options, including a late June start and late September finish.
The final possibility is an August 8 start and October 31 finish.
"I'd probably think August (for my earliest return) but there's a lot of water to go under the bridge before July."
