The ups and downs of professional football have not been lost on Dougal Howard this year.
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The Wagga Tigers junior made his AFL debut in one of the biggest games of the season, but it hasn’t all been plain sailing.
Howard was thrust into the national spotlight when he made his debut in the Showdown between his Port Adelaide and Adelaide.
However two months later his dreams came crashing down when he suffered a season-ending injury.
During his sixth game in the top grade, against Fremantle in June, Howard suffered tear to his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which required surgery.
While far from being part of the plan, the set back hasn’t taken all the gloss off what has been a breakthrough year for the forward/ruckman.
“It was pretty exciting in the first half of the year, obviously debuting and stringing a few games today, but it was pretty disappointing to do my knee when I did,” Howard said.
“But the club has been very supportive through it all, the rehab is going well and hopefully I will be back bigger and better next year and can get back in the AFL.”
Four months after going under the knife he is pleased by how the knee is and is starting to step up preparations for next season.
The rehab is going well and hopefully I will be back bigger and better next year and can get back into in the AFL.
- Port Adelaide's Dougal Howard
The 20-year-old has set his sights out getting back into the AFL, but first he’s getting ready to get back into training.
The Power return to training on November 7 and Howard is looking to be back to the normal training group by the start of the new year.
“Progress is getting there and I’m starting to run at moment, which is a good milestone to reach,” he said.
“Hopefully I’ll be back into running when we start pre-season and will look to get into drills a couple of months after that.
“Then hopefully after Christmas I can get back with the boys and start training with them.”
While his 2016 season was cut short by the serious injury, Howard is happy with how his career is progressing after being drafted at the end of 2014 with pick 56.
“It is going really good,” he said.
“It is good to be in the off-season, it has gone too quick so far, but it was another good year until I hurt himself.
“I’m really enjoying it in Adelaide, we have a good group there, and I’m really loving the club.”
Howard has been back in Wagga for the past five and has another fortnight in the city before returning to Adelaide and has enjoyed the opportunity to catch up with family and friends.
Howard was part of the Pillars of Strength charity golf day on Friday where he played alongside Greater Western Sydney duo Matt Kennedy and Harry Himmelburg.
The three young guns are out to make a bigger name for themselves in 2017.