Matt Dawson wasn’t sure if he was ever going to see again, let alone represent Australia at his first Commonwealth Games.
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But less than two months after a freak training accident the 23-year-old Norths hockey player is sporting protective eyeware and within sight of a maiden medal on the Gold Coast.
“It’s nice to be back that’s for sure,” Dawson told the Newcastle Herald.
The defender and his unbeaten Kookaburras teammates tackle England in one semi-final on Friday night (7:30pm) and depending on the result will then vie for a podium finish of some sort with either India or New Zealand on Saturday.
A far cry from might have been.
Only in February the Rio Olympian was accidentally struck in the head with a hockey stick, fell to the ground screaming in agony and underwent emergency eye surgery.
Three weeks later Dawson was named in the 18-man squad, recovered in time to pass a late fitness test for competition and on Sunday marked his 100th Test cap.
“I was a bit naive about the whole thing and the severity around it,” Dawson said.
“Once it got put into perspective I guess I was pretty lucky just to still be here.”
The injury was extensive – an orbital fracture of the eye socket treated with a bone graft, bleeding at the back of the retina and swelling around the eye. But the “main issue” was believed to be the eye lid nerve detaching from the muscle.
“They eye lid wasn’t really opening as quickly as we would have thought,” Dawson said.
“But that’s all slowly but surely coming back which is nice.”
During the four preliminary rounds he has worn a pair of clear wrap-a-round glasses.
“It’s a bit of protection, which is making me feel more and more confident and comfortable,” he said.
“I was training in them before getting here so I don’t even notice it any more.”
On the basketball court and Charlestown’s Katie Ebzery and Gloucester’s Damian Martin shoot for glory over the next 72 hours with the Opals and Boomers in play-offs at Broadbeach after wrapping up pool games in Far North Queensland.
In the women’s competition Australia meet New Zealand in one semi-final on Friday (9pm) before taking on either Canada or England in a medal match on Saturday.
In the men’s tournament Australia clash with Scotland on Saturday (10am) before a showdown with either New Zealand or Canada for a podium spot on Sunday.
The hosts are undefeated in both sections with Newcastle Hunters junior representatives Ebzery and Martin at their first Games.
“Townsville was good with a top set up, but it’s great to be on the Gold Coast now,” Ebzery told the Newcastle Herald.
“Just being around all the other athletes and in the mix with everyone, it makes you feel even more part of it.”
Ebzery has been starting at point guard and has enjoyed the extra responsibility after first making her mark off the bench at the Rio Olympics in 2016.
“I’m quite happy with the role,” the 28-year-old Sydney Uni Flames captain said.
“When you come into a national team and everyone is a star in their own individual teams, but when you come together you’ve just got to slot in and make it work.
“It makes basketball really easy and obviously a lot of fun being able to go out there and play with the caliber of players we have in Australia.”
The Opals beat England (118-55), Canada (100-61) and Mozambique (113-53) in the preliminary rounds.
Pert Wildcats skipper Martin, 33, is looking forward to the next phase of the tournament after wins over Nigeria (97-55), New Zealand (79-73) and Canada (95-55) in Cairns.
“Bring on the semi finals on the Gold Coast,” Martin posted on social media this week.
“Thanks for all the support Cairns. Your security, volunteers, and public support have all been amazing.”
