PARRAMATTA prop Shane Shackleton, whose debut season with the Eels was ruined by a torn hamstring so brutally inflicted it made tough men wince, is aiming to walk in The Sun-Herald City2Surf on August 8.
Shackleton, recruited at the end of last year from the Roosters, was hurt in the opening match of the season against St George Illawarra when his legs were pulled in opposite directions like a wishbone. He spent almost a month in hospital and was discharged in a wheelchair. He described the early part of his rehabilitation as "dark days".
However, Shackleton's commitment to his recovery has astounded the Eels squad and their training staff. The 27-year-old spends hours in the gym each day and then marches for hours around Parramatta Stadium like a soldier on parade. He's fuelled by the dream of returning for the finals series, but his first goal is to finish the 14-kilometre City2Surf.
"I'm doing a lot of walking but I've started jogging just to get the functional things going back in my leg," he said. "Our physio has come up with a good protocol for me to follow but I'm way ahead of where we thought I may have been at this stage.
"Because my recovery has been so quick there is a slight chance I might play in the finals. Having that little goal in my head has kept me working hard."
Shackleton said he would use his walk to raise money for the Steve Waugh Foundation, a charity formed by the former Australian cricket captain to improve the lives of children with rare illnesses.
"If I'm going to do it I'll do it for a worthwhile cause while getting some rehabilitation benefit from it at the same time," said Shackleton, a father of two.
"I started jogging last week and it'll be a test because I haven't walked that far yet. I'll be inviting Parramatta's members and supporters to join me and to help out Steve's foundation as well.
"I'll get my two daughters, Tania and Keah, to come along with me. They'll be aged six and eight by the time the race starts.''
Eels chief executive Paul Osborne said: ''[Shackleton's] commitment to his rehabilitation has impressed everyone at the club. It says a lot about his professionalism and his desire to play.''
