THERE’S every chance that if not for Alex Cincotta’s determination and resolve, his Carlton career would’ve been over before it even began.
Especially when you consider just how torrid the timing of his ACL injury was. Speaking to The Age, Cincotta detailed just how strenuous - and unique - his predicament was.
While most are aware of the year-long recovery that comes with that injury, Cincotta’s ACL rupture came just as the world was going into lockdown. While there was the sense of the unknown that came with that, that particularly applied for Cincotta, who undertook a drastic measure.
As his rehabilitation was due to commence after surgery, gyms shut down. The solution for Cincotta? Moving into a Geelong West gym run by Nick Power — cousin of Luke, who would go on to become Cincotta’s VFL coach.
It has been the backdrop and the provider of perspective which fuels Cincotta’s football in 2023, where he now finds himself in Carlton’s senior team just three years after what must’ve seemed like rock bottom.
“It’s been a journey,” Cincotta told The Age.
“My knee was in pretty bad shape. I had to pretty much learn to walk again.
“I love footy so the little things, the day-to-day things, is why I play. [Carlton] is a great environment to be able to work and grind away.”
For the full article from The Age’s Peter Ryan, click here.
