ON THE eve of a Round 23 blockbuster with finals implications, it’s perhaps understandable that Round 1 seems an eternity ago for Sam Docherty.
However, ahead of the 13th Richard Pratt Cup where old enemies Carlton and Collingwood will unite to raise funds for the Peter Mac Cancer Centre, Docherty had the chance to reflect on where the last 12 months have taken him.
If there’s one lesson learned by a man widely touted as one of the best on-field thinkers in the game, it’s one of gratitude.
It was one year plus one week ago that Docherty announced via his Instagram page that his testicular cancer had recurred.
Ahead of this week’s ‘clash for a cause’ between the Blues and Pies, there was perhaps no better person to discuss the merits of Peter Mac.
“From a personal level, I think gratitude was something I took out of my whole cancer journey,” Docherty said.
“You get beaten pillar to post and you become really grateful for the people that you have in your life, your health that you have and the people around you who are helping you in that time.
“I probably didn’t know how big and how important the Peter Mac Centre is and how many people work throughout that place in terms of the research, care and education. I can’t speak more highly of the organisation.
“It’s an incredible organisation and any money that can be raised to do research is amazing.”
Last October, there was a conscious effort from many involved within the Carlton Football Club - and also those in the wider football community - to rally behind Docherty.
That was the ‘Doing It For Doc’ campaign, which saw each of Docherty’s teammates shave their heads, alongside coaches, past players and fans in a moving display of Navy Blue solidarity.
In the process, over $200,000 was raised over the course of the initiative, with proceeds going towards Peter Mac. Docherty was in hospital on the day of his teammates doing the shave, and there was no organisation more deserving than Peter Mac.
“I have really fond memories at the Peter Mac Centre, which is quite a strange think to think about seeing as some of the worst periods of my life were in that bed,” he said.
“It’s a real credit to the people and the organisation that they provide that care. It’s an incredible organisation and any money that can be raised to do research is amazing.”
There was also the support of the wider football club which spurred Docherty on in what has become regarded in football as one of the great stories of the season.
As Docherty prepares for the game of his footballing career to date at the MCG on Sunday, the chance to sit back, reflect and assess where he has come from will continue to form a key part of his pre-game rituals.
After all, just the prospect of getting back to football was something which was an end goal for Docherty at the time of his treatment. Having the chance to take stock in August, with a clash with the old enemy to book a spot in finals action around the corner and the recent news that he and wife Nat are expecting their first child, is not something he is taking for granted.
“When I came back to playing footy, I didn’t think I’d be able to get there in a way… I’m incredibly grateful for the position that I’m in.
“I get to play a game that I love for a job with all of my mates. We get to play high-stakes footy with big crowds. We have an amazing supporter base that brings atmosphere into games and the position we’re in is somewhere I haven’t been in my career.
“To find out I’ll become a dad early next year has capped off a really positive year for me. The last couple haven’t been the best, but I feel like this year has been nice for me personally.”
While that’s been Docherty’s key lesson he has learned throughout this journey, the one he wishes to pass on to the wider community is one which is often reciprocated by all those who have gone through their own battles.
However, as Docherty himself put it, it could be the difference between saving your life.
Gratitude. 💙
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) August 16, 2022
“The message I would say to men more broadly and anyone really is make sure you stay up to date with your doctor checks. I think men try and hide from the doctors when they have an ache or a groan,” he said.
“We hide the fact that we might be struggling: that’s not the way to go about it.
“I’d just encourage everyone to go and see the doctor. If something is wrong, you can get treated if you go early enough.”
Many have shared in Docherty’s story over the last 12 months. But if there’s one person who Docherty can empathise with is a colleague in the royal blue and white stripes.
As Carlton was preparing for a crunch battle with Melbourne on Saturday night, Ben Cunnington was making his own long-awaited return for North Melbourne. Having sent him a message earlier in the week, Docherty once again spoke of his pride - as well as the bond formed from shared experiences - with the Shinboner.
“We have been joined through a unique circumstance of timing in our lives,” he said.
“I reached out to him and sure enough, Ben jumped all over it and asked a lot of questions. We provided support to each other throughout the whole of our cancer journeys.
“That moment of him walking out with Linda and the kids, he doesn’t show much emotion and I don’t know him that well, but everyone I speak to says he hardly says a word. To see that emotion pour out pre-game was special to see.
“I’m incredibly proud of him, to be honest.”
Cunnington relayed in an interview with North Melbourne’s media team post-game that the key piece of advice he took from Docherty was embracing the opportunity to head to the game early, soak up the ground and acknowledge the path to this point.
It’s something which Docherty touched on when speaking to media, saying it has been a constant for him throughout 2022.
“It’s just an empty stadium with no noise. I walk around by myself for 10 minutes and practice that gratitude,” he said.
“I suggested that [Cunnington] do the same, and he texted me after the game saying it was something that will stick with him for a while.
“It’s a moment of reflection about where you’ve been, where you are and where you’re going.”
