Midfielder turned centre-back Jake Girdwood-Reich is determined he will play during this weekend’s Semi Final showdown if his body responds well to his last few days of treatment. The player is undaunted by last weekend’s fall and is committed to making a return before the conclusion of the season.
“It is such a big game. It’s a Semi Final. I want to be there but then again sometimes it is not up to me, it is up to my body so we will see what happens,” he said.
An awkward collision with Jacob Farrell during last weekend’s first leg of Semi Final’s against the Central Coast Mariners saw the young player subbed off and receiving immediate treatment for discomfort in his leg.
“It was around the sixth minute in the game. I remember fouling Farrell. He kinda came into my leg.
“It hurt but I felt like I could keep playing. Gradually, it was getting worse. I did have another fall – that was down to the strength in my leg. I couldn’t continue,” he shared.
Girdwood-Reich has been instrumental to the sides success this season. With 50 clearances and 37 interceptions under his belt, the Clovelly born player is wanting to finish the season on a high.
Now on the verge of his 20th birthday, the young gun has been focusing on rest and recovery. Girdwood-Reich is taking each necessary measure to ensure his body is in the fittest position possible for Saturday’s lineup.
“It was straight on the ice for 20 minutes then ice off. Compression also. We didn’t know what it was but now we know what to do in terms of recovery.
“Just getting it moving, getting on the bike, getting in the ice bath and the hot tub, and nice jogs around the pitch has been my recovery.”
Despite not participating in team training the past couple of days, Girdwood-Reich is expected to feature in tomorrow’s training session with Ufuk Talay and the Sky Blue coaching staff.
If all goes well and if the player is in good condition, he could be in contention for this weekend’s Grand Final place decider.
“He [Ufuk] said to get my body right and that we will see what happens. That is all we need. You want to go into a game feeling good,” said Girdwood-Reich.
Whether he starts on the field or the bench is unknown, but Girdwood-Reich is hopeful he will have one last crack on the pitch before the season comes to an end.
“I am hoping I can get myself fit enough for Saturday,” he concluded.
