MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 23: Dylan Roberton of the Saints in action during the St Kilda Saints training session at RSEA Park on May 23, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)
Saints defender Dylan Roberton is set for a remarkable return in 2020, according to The Herald Sun.
The 28-year old suffered a career-threatening heart problem last year, collapsing during a game in round four before having a second scare after a pre-season game in March.
After sitting out this season, Roberton was flown to the United States to see a cardiologist to help him with his heart condition.
And the backman had reportedly been given the all clear to make a stunning comeback next season, subject to close monitoring, medication, and approvals from the AFL, club medical staff, integrity committee and the Saints’ board.
Roberton said it was important to stabilise his unusually high heart rate.
“Your max heart rate is meant to be 220 minus your age or something. After the (pre-season) game it sort of got up to 280-300,” Roberton said.
“It’s more my heart rate trying to settle back down from exercise.
“When I’m actually up at the highest level and I’m working really hard it’s fine. It’s just as it’s trying to recover it sort of gets out of whack a bit.”
The 128-gamer was had confidence in his body despite all the setbacks.,
“I feel like now I’m on the medication, I’ve got the defib in, and it went off, so that sort of gives me confidence that it works,” Roberton said.
“So if anything does happen, I’m sort of safe. Which is probably a strange way to look at it.
“The word I’ve used a lot is frustrating that they can’t sort of figure it out.
“Every time you go back you think they are (doctors) going to have an answer for you, but they are scratching their heads.
“Hopefully with the year off they’ll be able to dig a bit deeper.”