KANE FARRELL admits being out of contract at the end of 2022 had come into his thoughts as he worked to return from a knee reconstruction.
That’s why it was a big moment when he was able to extend his time at Alberton for another season with a contract extension signed on Monday.
The 22-year-old was recording career best numbers and spending more time on the wing after beginning his career as a forward before he went down with a serious knee injury early in the Round 16 win over Hawthorn.
“At the time (of the injury) everything was going on in my head, it was a bit of a scramble,” Farrell admitted during a press conference on Monday.
“(I was) worrying about my knee and stuff, but the contract side of it came into mind when it all calmed down because I knew I’d be at least 10-12 months out, which gives me maybe half a year of footy when my contract was going to be out.
“So, it’s good to get that bit of extra time to focus on getting it right before I come back.”
More than anything, it was a sign of faith in the neat left footer who has booted 27 goals in 33 games since being drafted with pick 51 in the 2017 draft.
“It’s good that the club has got a bit of care for me and I don’t have to rush back since I’ve got that extra year on my contract,” Farrell explained.
“It’s good I don’t have to get out there and try to do things that I can’t at the moment. I can take my time and get things right.
“It just gives me that time to get bigger and stronger now in the gym because I can’t be on the track.
“Hopefully that allows me to play a few extra roles at the club, put on a few extra kilos and maybe get a bit fitter as well because I’ll be running for longer now.”
Farrell is running strongly at training and will commence more change of direction and jumping and landing work this week.
He is targeting a return within the first 5-6 weeks of the season but knows things can change quickly with his kind of injury.
“I’m taking it week by week at the moment. I’d like to get back in 10 to 11 months but you never know what could happen,” he said.
“Something could change one day but at the moment I feel like I’m going well.
“I’m running quite well, I’m doing some longer sessions now, a bit of change of direction and all that sort of stuff so it’s all going a bit ahead of schedule at the moment.”
Fellow young guns Todd Marshall and Xavier Duursma also signed contract extensions on Monday, keeping them at Alberton until the end of 2024.
