Corio coach Joel Bennett says it’s “all systems go” after getting the all-clear to return to full training following a serious back injury suffered early in the 2024 season.
The 27-year-old father-of-two suffered three fractures to his back following a collision late in the Devils’ draw with Inverleigh on May 11.
He spent five days in hospital before beginning the long road to recovery.
Medical experts gave the 2023 Whitley medalist the green light to return to full training pre-Christmas.
“No more light duties at work, and I can ease back into contact training,” Bennett said.
“I did one session just before Christmas where we had a little intra-club that I played in.
“I skirted the packs a little bit but got a couple of little nice bumps and that, so (I’m) feeling good there.”
However, Bennett admits his body has lost the conditioning built up over a career good enough to produce 21 games at VFL level.
“I’m getting the running loads through the legs and still doing quite a fair bit of swimming,” he said.
“It’s good because where the injuries were, they were between my shoulder blades. So, when I’m doing freestyle, it makes me quite knackered, but it feels really good at the same time, just moving it.
“And, obviously, with being in the water, it’s less load through the body.”
Bennett says he is constantly asked about the first knock he receives from an opponent by family, friends, and colleagues.
“In a strange sort of way, I think I’ll be searching for it so that I get knocked down and mum and dad and everyone around see me get back up,” he said.
“I think once I cop that first one, that’ll clear a lot of the mental demons.”
Bennett will go it alone as Corio’s coach this year after sharing the role with dad Darren since 2021.
A second-half fadeout against Geelong West in the final round of last season left the Devils with the unwanted wooden spoon.
After wins over the Giants and Bell Post Hill, the draw with the Hawks, and narrow losses to eventual finalists Belmont Lions and Werribee Centrals, injury and unavailability impacted Corio’s onfield leadership.
It’s an area the Devils have focused on addressing, with the arrival of Chris Moreland (Alvie) and Jarrod Bayliss (Coldstream) injecting some much-needed experience at Shell Reserve.
“You could really see how it affected such a young group,” Bennett said.
“It’s probably the first time where we sat back and realised, with the rebuild and everything that we’ve gone through over the last few years, just how young we actually are.
“We wouldn’t change what we’ve done, but this off-season has really heightened the fact that we did need a couple of older heads because once we lost a couple of them to injuries, it really hurt us.”
Bennett has also been impressed by Kynan Manning – the son of former Devil Shane – from VAFA club Collegians and Bannockburn under-18s graduate Brady Hercus Quince.
“They’ve both been super at training,” Bennett said.
“Brady, with the new set of eyes on him, he’s really gone to another level.
“And Kynan, he’s just a spitting image of Shane when he was younger. So, if he’s half as good as Shane, I think we’ve found one there.”
Corio, which starts its 2025 season against Anakie on April 5, has two practice matches scheduled.
The Devils will face Colac and District club Irrewarra Beeac on March 8 and Western League club Sunshine Heights on March 22.
X: @krockfootball
