'Rolling the dice': Lincoln McCarthy's audacious plan to return from ACL surgery before AFL finals
Fallen Brisbane veteran Lincoln McCarthy is about to embark on an audacious plan to return to football in 2025, harnessing Sam Docherty's rapid recovery, and trying to better it, as his inspiration.
It's understood McCarthy, who will go under the knife on Tuesday following a second ACL tear 10 days ago, has a remarkable late-season return in his sights.
The risky strategy would see the 31-year-old aim to take the field again in August, less than six months post-surgery.
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The club is fully supportive of McCarthy's ambition, even if it carries significantly more risk than a regular, 12-month recovery timeline.
Brisbane Lions star Lincoln McCarthy looks on during the three quarter time huddle in a 2024 match. AFL Photos via Getty Images
The Lions' medical team presented McCarthy with four options to consider last week.
One was a traditional knee reconstruction, which would have ruled the 151-gamer out for the season and possibly ended his career, given he's out of contract.
Another was to undergo LARS surgery, which carries its own risks in the short and long term.
The third option, which McCarthy discussed with Brisbane assistant coach Dale Morris, was to let the knee repair naturally over time without surgical intervention.
Morris was 36 in 2019 when he opted to avoid surgery in the pre-season. He returned midway through the year, but injured his knee in his comeback game.
In 2007 Daniel Giansiracusa partially tore his ACL in December, decided against a procedure, played in Round 1, and then retired in 2014 with no further serious issues.
But it was the fourth option which McCarthy has committed to and aligns closely with Docherty's approach last year: Surgery, followed by an aggressive rehabilitation period.
Sam Docherty made an incredible return for the Blues in September, 2024. Getty
Just 183 days elapsed between Docherty's third ACL rupture in 2024 and his return at the Gabba in an elimination final.
If McCarthy is to have an identical recovery timeframe, he will be fit to play on September 17.
It's believed his high level aim is to come back in closer to five months, on the eve of the AFL finals series.
Speaking to 9News Melbourne on Monday, Dr Peter Larkins said: "Any player who returns in the 10-12 month mark is rolling the dice."
It's understood that the surgeon will take tissue from McCarthy's patella tendon in the procedure, as opposed to the more traditional method when graft is taken from the patient's hamstring.
Lincoln McCarthy leaves the field injured against the Gold Coast. via Getty Images
Ninety per cent of ACL reconstructions in Australia use a hamstring graft, while the other 10 per cent use the patella of the patient.
McCarthy and the Lions are aware of the risks attached, but believe it's worth it given his age and Brisbane's premiership chances.
In Brisbane's press release last Tuesday, the club was careful not to rule the ex-Cat out for the season.
"McCarthy will continue to work through the best course of action with the club," the statement said.
