'I thought I was cactus': Terlich's incredible road back to a grand final

Heath Ohlin and Shannon Terlich are the only two players remaining from the 2014 flag triumph that will be still playing in the grand final for the Swampies on the weekend. Picture by Mark Jesser

Shannon Terlich feared his football career could be over before he had the chance to write another chapter in Henty's proud history.

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After injuring his knee playing cricket during the off-season, the 36-year-old found himself at a crossroads.

A proper diagnosis took almost a month and, during that uncertain period, Terlich admits the prospect of never playing football again weighed heavily on his mind.

"At the start of the season I thought I might have been cactus," Terlich said.

"My playing days were firmly at the crossroads and I wasn't sure if I would play again.

"When I first injured my knee and hadn't had a proper diagnosis, which took a month, it was a depressing feeling to be honest.

"It certainly played on my mind and it does affect you."

Shannon Terlich in action for the Swampies in 2013. File picture

Yet after a lengthy rehabilitation, the former Henty junior finally returned to the senior side in round 10.

Now, more than five months later, Terlich is preparing for his fourth Hume Football League grand final and a chance to add another premiership to his 2014 triumph.

"It was more of a relief than anything," he said of his comeback.

"I had to do a fair bit of rehab to get myself right but I just love playing football."

Terlich is the first to admit he is no longer the player he once was, but believes he can still make a valuable contribution to Henty's premiership push.

"I'm the first to admit that I'm nowhere near the player I used to be," he said.

"But I still feel I have been able to contribute and like to think that I play my role."

Saturday's clash with Osborne will be Terlich's fourth grand final appearance for the Swampies, following a loss in 2012, premiership glory in 2014 and another defeat in 2015.

Heath Ohlin and Shannon Terlich are expected to play deep in attack for the Swampies in the grand final against Osborne on Saturday. Picture by Mark Jesser

But rather than dwell on the past, Terlich is firmly focused on the opportunity ahead.

"I haven't had time to be honest, there is a bit going on at the moment and we have got the Henty Field Days next week which has been keeping me busy and my mind occupied," he said.

"I spend more time thinking about the weekend rather than reflecting on what has happened."

For Terlich, however, the chance to win another premiership carries significance well beyond his own playing career.

Henty's sons of guns with Shannon Terlich, Neale Terlich, Harrison Macreadie, Dale Macreadie, Peter Murray and Sam Murray. File picture

His father, Neale 'Squeal' Terlich, is a Henty legend and played in the Swampies' 1990 and 1996 premierships.

"It does, dad won two flags, so it would be nice personally if I could win two as well," he said.

Terlich has also endured his share of finals heartbreak, having played in preliminary finals in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2018.

"So it is nice to be in another grand final," he said.

There is also a remarkable family connection running through Henty's current premiership campaign.

Henty coach Brenden Maclean in action for the Swampies in 2006. File picture

Neale Terlich played alongside current Henty coach Brenden 'Chisel' Maclean in the 1996 premiership side - three decades before Maclean would take charge of the Swampies.

Fletcher Macreadie, Henty's current captain, is also the son of Dale 'Ernie' Macreadie, who played alongside Neale in 1990 and 1996 and Maclean in the 1996 flag.

It is a connection that has not been lost on Shannon.

"I was thinking about that during the week," he said.

"If we happened to win I want to get a premiership photo with 'Chisel' and dad, and 'Ernie' and Fletcher.

"Dad, 'Ernie' and 'Chisel' are still close mates 30 years on, so it would be a photo to cherish if we can get the job done."

Shannon Terlich reached his 200-match milestone with the Swampies in 2024. File picture

For a footballer who has spent more than two decades wearing the Henty jumper, that photograph would capture far more than a premiership.

It would bring together two generations of Swampies history and provide Terlich with the chance to complete a remarkable comeback from wondering whether he would ever play again to chasing another premiership on Henty's biggest day.

"It would be unreal and a lot of reward for people in the local community," Terlich said.

"After COVID we lost a few recruits and relied on our local talent to fill the gaps.

"After the past four or five seasons the list has improved and now we find ourselves in another grand final."

And while Terlich is determined to make the most of Saturday's opportunity, he is refusing to put a definitive end date on his career.

Henty forward Shannon Terlich is the father of three daughters in Ruby, Claire and Hazel. File picture

With the veteran set to turn 37, he has already spoken with Henty vice-president Greg Schuller and incoming coach Shane Lenon about continuing next season.

"I will just see how the knee holds up I guess," he said.

"I won't say I will retire because I've seen a lot of blokes say they are retired and play on for another five years.

"If I don't play seniors, I can still help out in the reserves.

"Retirement is a dirty word, isn't it?"

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