Carlton defender Sam Docherty will make an astonishing AFL comeback in Thursday night’s opening-round clash with Richmond – in an inspirational return from a cancer battle.
The 28-year-old underwent chemotherapy after a routine check-up in August showed testicular cancer had returned.
Docherty, who in 2022 is a vice-captain under sole skipper Patrick Cripps, is now set to meet Richmond at the MCG on Thursday.
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New Carlton coach Michael Voss confirmed the news on Monday night.
“It’s an incredible story,” Voss told Fox Footy.
“It really is testament to the person and how resilient and determined he is.”
Docherty last year had 12 weeks of chemotherapy after the cancer returned following its initial discovery in November 2020.
The 2017 All-Australian wasn’t considered a feasible chance of playing in round one when he met with Voss in September, but he’s since returned to his optimal playing weight and performed strongly in a host of pre-season hit-outs.
“At the time he’d lost a heap of weight,” Voss said.
“He was in full treatment and to see his steady progression was quite amazing.
“It wasn’t all smooth sailing, he’s had some hiccups along the way, but he persisted through it and he’s been able to get this body of work in that’s put him in this position to (play again).
“We wouldn’t in any way be putting him out there with any risk whatsoever, so that just shows how ready he is to be able to play in round one.”
Before Docherty was diagnosed with cancer in 2020, two ACL ruptures wiped him from both the 2018 and 2019 AFL seasons.
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