Footy lifeline ... Ricky Petterd is reaching out for one at the Tigers. Source: News Limited
Former Melbourne Demons forward Ricky Petterd has been invited to train with Richmond next week as he seeks to resuscitate a career that has stalled at just 24.
Petterd said he was desperate for another chance - most likely as a rookie - after revealing his achilles soreness was so painful he struggled to walk at times this year.
The talented mid-sized forward underwent surgery after round 18, and was subsequently delisted by Melbourne on the last day of the trade period.
Petterd knocked back a lucrative Gold Coast Suns offer just two years ago, and is aware how quickly his reputation has slumped.
Richmond are one of several Victorian clubs considering him as a rookie option, and Petterd says he is training hard for a second chance.
"I have had a couple of chats with Richmond and a couple of other clubs, so I will just have a run around with them," he said.
"I kind of had an idea it was coming. I had a couple of years with injury and I am a realist - footy clubs can't hold on to players forever. For 20 months I have had a really bad achilles and it was grounding me. I lost a lot of pace and jump.
"It was affecting my mechanics with the way I ran, and then I started doing hammies and calves. I wasn't being honest about how my body was feeling. Halfway through the year I couldn't walk when I got out of bed.
"The pain was excruciating, but I tried to get through it and I knew I was playing for a contract or to impress other clubs and I kept playing."
Surgery to ease the pressure on the sheath that surrounds his achilles was successful, with Petterd working recently with former teammate and personal trainer Daniel Bell to regain fitness.
He can run with only minimal pain, and given the lack of scar tissue has no doubt his best football is ahead of him.
The 54-game player says he had no regrets about knocking back the Gold Coast's cash as well as other rival offers to stay put at the end of 2010.
Ross admits he was given a fair opportunity at North, but wants to prove to himself and his family that he has more to give at senior level.
But for the second instalment of his AFL career, if there is one, he will take with him a new level of appreciation for the game he loves again after recovering from injury.
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