BRAVERY is recognised as a key value on the football field, but Swan Districts defender Dean Ipaviz knows a lot about being courageous away from the game as well.
The Trigg resident, who was diagnosed with thyroid cancer early last year, has battled his way back onto the field and will lead Swans in the Call To Arms WAFL clash against East Fremantle this weekend.
The return to regular senior football is an indication of the 25-year-old’s determination not to let the disease get the better of him.
“After being diagnosed, my main goal was getting back to playing the highest level of footy I could play,” he said.
“Being able to tick that off is a really emotional and important achievement.”
It has been a difficult journey for the former Victorian since he first addressed the growth in his throat following a visit to the club doctor to treat a torn quadriceps muscle.
A series of tests confirmed the news he had been dreading.
“To get told what I was told was pretty shocking - that’s the only way I can put it,” he said.
“I was just in a state of shock, and was keen to take the reins and head home (to Victoria) to have surgery and start treatment.”
A seven-month period of radiotherapy followed, and then the dream of getting back to playing alongside his Swans team-mates inspired Ipaviz to get back into training.
After overcoming a couple of setbacks and the slow process of trying to lose the weight he had put on following surgery, Ipaviz made a triumphant return to senior football in Swans’ 80-point win over East Fremantle in May.
“It was an incredible day - I was extremely nervous to start the game but got better as it went along,” he said.
“Coming off the ground at the end, the boys let me walk in front of them and the supporters were just terrific, cheering me off the ground.
“I was crying for a while that afternoon - I’m not ashamed of it, because it was a really emotional release for me, and I appreciated everyone getting behind me and showing their support.”
Of particular support has been younger team-mate Justin Simpson, a talented onballer who was diagnosed with lymphoma as an 18-year-old three years ago.
“I take a lot from Justin and admire the way he’s been able to go about things,” he said.
“With what we’ve both been through, we share a very special bond now that no one can come between.”
Ipaviz has been instrumental in organising the inaugural Swans’ Call To Arms fixture, which will see the players wear yellow arm bands to help raise awareness and money for cancer research.
“It’s all about giving as much as I can back to the Cancer Council, and promote awareness in the community that you can push on and overcome this disease,” he said.