Collingwood skipper Nick Maxwell has returned home after he spent three nights in a Perth hospital as a result of a heavy knock sustained in the NAB Cup semi-final win over West Coast.
Maxwell flew into Melbourne at midnight last night and is now resting at home.
The 27-year-old is recovering from internal bleeding which was caused by a legal bump from Eagle midfielder Andrew Embley midway through the second term of Saturday night's game. Maxwell was helped from the ground and retreated to the rooms at Patersons Stadium.
“After I was bumped I knew it was something more than having the wind knocked out of me,” Maxwell told collingwoodfc.com.au from his home in Melbourne.
“I went down to the rooms and tried to gather myself. I struggled to pull on the jumper before the second half and as I went to the bathroom all I could see was a stream of blood. I knew it wasn’t good.”
Maxwell and his teammate Tom Hunter, who injured his neck, were taken to hospital where they were monitored for several days.
“The doctors wanted to make sure that there were no signs of haemorrhaging and once they deemed I was fit, I was able to return home with Tommy.
“The instructions from the medical staff are to rest and let the body heal itself. If I am lying still, I feel no pain."
Maxwell was resolute when discussing his timeframe for returning to the footy field. The captain has a good track record making his return earlier than expected from football-related injuries.
“In the past I have recovered quicker than the docs have stated. I can’t put a number of weeks on it due to the nature of the injury.
“A small positive is it occurred during preseason and not at the pointy end. I am confident the boys will be able to execute on field and I aim to return in the opening few rounds of the season.”
Meanwhile, Hunter's condition will be monitored over the coming days and his recovery time is unknown at this stage. The 20-year-old is in his second year on the club's rookie list and showed some impressive form during the NAB Cup.
