When a promising young athlete suffers a devastating injury, the path back to the sport they love can seem impossibly long.
For one Sandgate Hawks player, Jarvis Poppleton, however, perseverance, a supportive club, and expert guidance from SPHC physio Jack turned a nightmare into an inspiring comeback story.
The Beginning of a Footy Journey
Jarvis played for the Hawks since 2017 after transitioning from soccer.
“I love playing footy—it’s a great way to keep fit and healthy,” Jarvis said.
“There’s also no better way to catch up with your mates than running around and having a kick every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.”
But in 2021, while captaining the under-18s side, Jarvis’ world was turned upside down.
“During one of the last regular games of the season, I completely ruptured my ACL and tore my meniscus,” he explained.
“This required surgery and a knee reconstruction. I was devastated to realise I’d miss not just the rest of that season, but the entirety of the next.”
Watching from the sidelines as his team won the premiership was bittersweet. “It was heartbreaking not being on the field with them.”
The Start of Recovery
Jarvis’ recovery began with a visit to SPHC physio Jack the Monday after his injury.
“Jack identified the severity of my injury and pointed me in the right direction for surgery and recovery,” he recalled.
“He also gave me exercises I could start immediately, which allowed me to begin my recovery as soon as possible.”
Jack remembers that initial consultation well.
“From the start, Jarvis was focused on doing everything he could to recover quickly and properly,” Jack said.
“My role was to provide him with a structured plan and support him every step of the way.”
Rehabilitation and Milestones
After surgery, Jarvis began structured rehabilitation.
“Jack’s clear communication about what I could and couldn’t do at different stages stood out. He adapted my rehab plan as my body responded, which made my recovery efficient and effective.”
Jack explained his approach to tailoring Jarvis’ program.
“Rehabilitation is never a one-size-fits-all process,” Jack said.
“We adjusted his program as he progressed, ensuring his recovery was as smooth as possible.”
Milestones like running for the first time post-operation boosted Jarvis’ spirits. “That moment made me optimistic that I was on track to return to footy sooner than I’d hoped,” Jarvis shared.
The Return to Footy
In 2023, after over 18 months away, Jarvis made his full return.
“Pulling on the Hawks jersey again felt amazing,” he said.
“Thanks to Jack and the SPHC team, I had complete confidence in my recovery.”
Jack takes pride in seeing his clients return to what they love. “Seeing Jarvis back on the field was incredibly rewarding,” Jack said.
“It’s why we do what we do—to help athletes regain confidence in their bodies.”
Jarvis said Jack’s program definitely contributed to his successful return. “Jack provided exercises and advice on strapping, recovery, and warmups to avoid re-injury. I’ve continued to use many of these to this day.”
The hard work paid off.
“In my second season back, I helped the senior team win their first premiership in 30 years. After missing my under-18s grand final, this was one of my proudest achievements.”
For this Hawk the sky is truly the limit.
For more information about our SPHC Physiotherapy services, check out our website or call us on 07 3869 1099.