The incredible story of Dale Morris is set for another chapter.
After sustaining an ACL injury during the pre-season – for a second consecutive year – the premiership Bulldog will remarkably make another mid-season return.
With four VFL games under his belt this year to prove his fitness, the 36-year-old will now add to his 252 games at the highest level.
The return is complete, but the journey is far from done.
“I think Dale wants to play until his legs fall off, and we're open to that as long as he continues to belong at the level,” senior coach Luke Beveridge said on Friday.
“It’s quite incredible to think that he’s almost totally ruptured two ACLs – on either side – and he hasn’t had any surgery and he’s coming back to play.
“He’s really worked hard in his rehab and he’s played extremely well for Footscray at state league level.
“Here’s an opportunity for him to come in and pick up where he left off and we’ll hopefully benefit from his experience.
For Bulldogs people, the stories of Morris overcoming injury and adversity are well-known.
He is as determined as they come.
From spending four years in the VFL at Werribee before getting his opportunity on an AFL list, to playing the 2016 finals series with a broken back, to overcoming two ACL injuries without surgery, and returning to football from both in less than five months.
His teammates struggle to explain it. But there’s no doubt they’re thrilled to have him back.
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“Nothing ceases to amaze us about what he’s capable of doing,” captain Easton Wood told The Age.
“His healing powers are incredible. His will and devotion to be able to get back in the time that he has is incredible, an inspiration to us all.
“Turning into the ‘Bionic Man’ or whatever he’s been called. There’s just no stopping him.
“You think ACL, a guy who’s 36, you think [he’s] done. That’s just a reality of football, the ACL is normally a 12-month injury, best case nine months, and he’s come back in five.
“It’s astonishing. There’s no other word for it, it’s astonishing. It never ceases to amaze us what that man’s capable of.”
