Hawthorn’s Finn Maginness has opened up on his family’s lingering trauma nearly one year on from suffering a lacerated kidney during a game in Launceston.
Thursday night’s win over Adelaide marked the 25-year-old’s second game back in the Tasmanian city since the injury last July.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Finn Maginness opens up on comeback from kidney injury
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His excellent return with what was arguably his career-best game against Gold Coast last month coincided with a turnaround in his health, having never quite felt his normal self until then.
Maginness had 24 disposals and two goals in the win over the Suns and played an important role on the Crows’ forwards this week, before reflecting on what it meant to be back in Launceston.
“Obviously I had a bit of a rough injury and was down here for a couple of weeks in hospital and that was a tough time,” he told Channel 7 after beating Adelaide.
“I think my first game back here a couple of weeks ago was one of the best of my career, so I take comfort out of that.
“I don’t know, I feel like I’ve spent more time than anyone else down here. So it’s like a second home now. It was a rough time, but I was lucky to have great support from the footy club and people like (football boss) Rob McCartney.”
Maginness lost about 45-50 per cent of his blood during his traumatic time last year.
“It was pretty rough,” he said.
“That obviously took a while to replenish and there was probably close to three months where I was lacking a lot of energy.
“Nodding enough, falling asleep flat out — it took a while to get it back. I feel like I’ve sort of been, last month, I’ve been feeling back to my best.
“(Before that) I could get back running, but back to feeling confident in myself and wanting to like take a hit and playing tough footy and wanting contests and wanting physicality, I think that’s sort of only come the last month again.”
Maginness had surgery on the night of the game last year after being flown from Launceston to Hobart by the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
He would go on to spend two weeks in the Apple Isle before being permitted to fly home.
Maginness’s return to Launceston last month brought back unhappy memories for mum Anna and partner Gemma in particular, though not himself.
“I think I was alright. I think it was a bit more emotional for my family,” Maginness said.
“I think they weren’t trying to say much, but mum said she felt sick the whole game. And my partner Gemma as well, she felt sick.
“But I was all good, I was ready to go. There was no difference to me.”
Nick Riewoldt noted: “It’s always harder for the others.”
Maginness’s commitment to Hawthorn’s cause is in his blood — all 50 per cent of it.
The father-son selection’s dad Scott was a dual premiership player and grandfather Norm played in the Hawks’ first ever finals victory in 1957.
While his own health has been front and centre, Norm’s love for Hawthorn has continued to inspire as he battles on at 93 years old.
“(Being a third-generation player) is something that I’m super proud of,” Maginness said.
“All my cousins, my uncles and aunties, they all go for Hawthorn, my brothers, sisters.
“My grandpa’s still around. I go in there and he’s slowly ageing and he’s starting to forget things.
“But one thing he remembers is his Hawthorn teammates and winning a final for Hawthorn. He was in Hawthorn’s first finals team so that’s something he holds dear.”
