Hawthorn midfielder Finn Maginness has opened up about the lingering trauma his family continues to experience nearly one year after he suffered a lacerated kidney during a match in Launceston.
The 25-year-old’s return to the Tasmanian city for Thursday night’s victory over Adelaide marked his second game back at the venue since the injury occurred last July.
His impressive comeback, highlighted by what was arguably his career-best performance against Gold Coast last month, coincided with a significant turnaround in his health. Until then, Maginness had never quite felt like his usual self.
In the win over the Suns, Maginness recorded 24 disposals and two goals. He also played a crucial role in containing Adelaide’s forwards this week before reflecting on the significance of being 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 the win over 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 approximately 45 to 50 per cent of his blood during the traumatic incident 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 underwent surgery on the night of the game last year after being flown from Launceston to Hobart by the Royal Flying Doctor Service. He then spent two weeks in Tasmania before being cleared to fly home.
His return to Launceston last month triggered unhappy memories for his mother Anna and partner Gemma in particular, though not for him personally.
“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.”
Former St Kilda star Nick Riewoldt noted: “It’s always harder for the others.”
Maginness’s dedication to Hawthorn runs deep — all 50 per cent of his blood, as he joked. The father-son selection’s father, Scott, was a dual premiership player, and his grandfather, Norm, played in Hawthorn’s first-ever finals victory in 1957.
While his own health has been a focus, Norm’s love for Hawthorn continues 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.”
