Despite being ruled out for six to eight weeks with a knee injury, Michael Walters remains motivated to contribute off the field as he prepares to return better than ever.
Walters left the field in the final quarter of Saturday’s clash against Hawthorn, with scans later revealing minor a tear in his posterior cruciate ligament.
Highlighted as a potential All Australian on the back of some impressive performances in 2017, the 26-year-old remains positive that the injury won’t affect his chances of recapturing that form.
“It still allows me to get fit over the off-season and make sure I’m back for day one of the pre-season,” Walters said.
“Hopefully, I'll come back fitter and stronger than ever.”
As a member of Freo’s leadership group, Walters says his work isn’t done as Fremantle looks to finish the season strongly.
“I’m going to be out for the next five games, but as a leader I still want to be there for the younger boys and the other leaders,” Walters said.
“There’s no doubt that in the meetings I’m going to be the same old me and vocal.
“Even around the corridors I’ll still be having those discussions with the younger boys and younger forwards.
“Although I’m out of the game I’m not going to be out of that leadership role.
“I just want to be there and help.”
During the broadcast, Walters’ injury appeared to have occurred when he pulled up sore from a marking contest but Walters clarified that the injury had occurred late in the third term.
“The vision they showed wasn't the time when I got injured, it was the kick inside forward 50 where (Hawthorn’s) Luke Hodge came over the top and sort of landed on me,” Walters said.
“It’s not his fault, I sort of landed on it myself.
“I tried to play out the game and just in that situation I tried to take off on it and my knee wouldn’t let me.”
