TOMMY Brierley scored a try in his first game back playing for Huddersfield Giants Reserves on dual-registration at the weekend.
As part of his return to full fitness, he played for over an hour on the wing for the side that defeated Newcastle Thunder 32-18 on Saturday.
Brierley has been out of action since March 27 last year when he suffered a fractured leg and ruptured ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), and he was delighted with how his first game back went.
“After being out for so long, it was nice to get back in that game environment. As much as you try to replicate games in training, you just can’t,” said Brierley.
“The try I scored was nothing special but, after being out for over 12 months, it meant a lot to get on the scoresheet.
“It’s just nice to get some minutes into me and get my first game ticked off. I was definitely a lot more sore than I normally would be, after so long out, and it’s about managing that.”
It has been a long process to get back fit since the injury he incurred in the first game of the 2022 season.
He has kept himself integrated with the squad, despite not being able to train for long periods, and been to as many games as possible while he’s been out.
“This isn’t the first time I’ve done this — it’s both knees now — but the main thing is making sure you have a good support network,” he said.
“My girlfriend and my family have been brilliant, as well as all the lads at Oldham — we’re a really close-knit group.
“When I’ve not been able to train, I’ve been at the side watching or I’d be in the gym with the physio and I set myself short term goals.”
With him being back into contention to face Cornwall next month, Brierley’s focus is now solely on being raring to go come game day.
“As much as it hasn’t been great for us in terms of having this stop-start season, it has benefited me to get back fit,” he added.
“The weeks off have allowed me the time to go through the processes with my leg and after this short break, the games are coming thick and fast.
“Hopefully by then I will be in a position to give as much as I can to help Oldham this season.”
