It says a lot about the relentless positivity of Nickoletta Flannery that the Canberra United flyer looks back on her recovery from an ACL tear as an “awesome journey.”
Flannery was sidelined for the entirety of the 2021-22 Liberty A-League campaign by the ACL tear suffered at a Matildas identification training camp in May, 2021; it’s been a long road back from the brink, one defined in Flannery’s mind by the mental and physical demands of rehabilitation.
But the 23-year-old is not the type to dwell on the past, to fear re-injury or to set unrealistic goals for her comeback season. Rewarded with her perseverance with a two-year contract at Canberra ahead of the new Liberty A-League campaign, Flannery is returning to the league with her focus on the positives of a year spent out of the game.
READ: WELCOME TO ‘DUB ZONE’: INNOVATIVE LIBERTY A-LEAGUE PROGRAM LAUNCHED FOR 2022-23
“To be honest, I’m very proud of the way my body has held up during pre-season,” Flannery told KEEPUP. “And mentally, I’m coming from a perspective of just wanting to enjoy it and not take it for granted, because I wasn’t able to do any of this last year.
“The injury itself was pretty challenging, and coming out of that still takes just as much time as you were out of the game to find your feet in the game. I’m certainly not where I want to be – but I’m also trying not to put pressure on myself, because it was such a demanding injury mentally and physically.
“I think I’ve tried to shift my focus to making sure my body is getting through pre-season, and mentally just trying to enjoy and grow rather than putting expectation and pressure of performance on myself. I don’t expect myself to be at a high quality in the first game – I think it’s an unrealistic expectation. I’m not taking it for granted and I’m not putting pressure on myself.
I’ve seen glimpses of the player I was before my injury starting to reappear more often now, which is really nice and gives me confidence. It’s a matter of building and developing each day. It’s a work in progress and it takes time.”
Flannery was sidelined for the best part of a year – 358 days, to be exact – before making a return to competitive play via the NPLW NSW and APIA Leichhardt. The NPLW campaign was a crucial and “daunting” checkpoint for Flannery to reach – one that is fuelling her confidence ahead of the Liberty A-League season.
“I couldn’t imagine what it would be like coming straight back into the A-League,” Flannery said. “It’s been awesome to regain some confidence and fitness. I definitely wouldn’t have gotten through pre-season without everything I got to do at APIA.
“I wouldn’t say I was fearful of re-injuring, I was more cautious and paying attention to how I used my body and moved it on the field.
I’ve gotten to a point where I don’t even think about my knee anymore, which is so rewarding and so nice. I just feel like I’m back to being me, and that injury was something of the past.
“I think the moment you are fearful and too cautious, that’s when you’re at risk of hurting yourself again.
“It’s been an awesome journey to kind of understand my body as well. I learnt a lot about how and when to stop pushing myself, and used the time off as a 12-month pre-season.”
Flannery’s time out of the game was far from time wasted. Along with her rehab, Flannery finished her university degree – a Bachelor of Architecture and Environment – whilst starting her own art business.
But funnily enough, after such a long absence from the game, Round 1 of the 2022-23 Liberty A-League season has crept up on Flannery. Excitement is building in the nation’s capital ahead of a return to McKellar Park where United face Perth Glory on Saturday, November 19.
“Back to the old fortress!” Flannery said.
“I know that for us old girls – and I hate to say us old girls because now I’m kind of included in that – but for the girls that have been at Canberra for many years, we’re so excited because of all the memories we were able to gain from McKellar. We’re looking forward to playing at McKellar just because of all the history we have at that field.
“It has really crept up. I think it’s the same for all of us. I was talking to Grace (Maher) earlier today saying it’s been almost 19 months since I last played in the A-League Women, so for me I’m excited but there is that level of nerves. I kind of feel like a kid again, which I actually don’t mind. I’m really excited – I just want it to be tomorrow.”
Flannery continued: “Canberra has always had this identity that we’re a difficult team to play, especially at home. Having these familiar faces and people that really embody what it means to play for Canberra has really brought that feeling to life again. I think it became a bit stagnant for a few years.
It’s kind of something you can’t really describe, the pride associated with it, and what it really does feel like to play here until you’re in the environment.
“I think having familiar faces, coaching staff that were around as players, it’s really going to help us this season. It would be absolutely awesome if the new girls can understand and embody it too this season.”
Featured image credit: @bythewhiteline
