Injuries again limited Dan Hannebery’s outings in Season 2020, but the Premiership Swan turned the corner at the right time as St Kilda approached its drought-breaking finals campaign.
Hannebery played the opening five matches of the year after overcoming a foot fracture, before a hamstring strain and a subsequent tendon tear forced the dynamic midfielder to return to Victoria for surgery.
Time on the sidelines and an extended recovery process away from the Noosa-ensconced Saints ultimately opened the door for a late season return.
Hannebery spent two weeks training in quarantine with Gary Ablett Jr and Shane Edwards before his Round 18 comeback against GWS in restricted game-time.
With his successful return in the bag, the triple All-Australian proved his experience the following fortnight against the Western Bulldogs – his 23rd final – with an influential 19 touches as the Saints held on for a scintillating triumph.
Hannebery was originally selected by Sydney with pick No. 30 in the 2008 National Draft, before heading back to his native Victoria to be with St Kilda at the end of the 2018 season.
