‘Physically broken and lost’: Howe recalls traumatic injury that nearly ended his career after Pies’ flag triumph

As Magpies veteran Jeremy Howe recounted after winning his first AFL premiership at age 33, he thought his career was over after suffering a traumatic arm injury in Round 1.

Breaking his arm in three places – including a compound fracture – in a gruesome setback likened to a car accident, Howe’s lengthy recovery included undergoing four bouts of surgery in 11 days due to complications from an infection.

There were question marks if the high-flying defender would make it back onto the field at all, let alone this season, so for him to return only three months later in Round 15 – sporting a black arm sleeve for protection – was some sort of miraculous feat.

Speaking to foxfooty.com.au in the rooms after Collingwood’s epic four-point Grand Final win over Brisbane, Howe admitted it was “surreal” to look back at his rollercoaster 2023 journey that saw him experience the lowest of lows.

“Sitting in a hospital bed thinking: ‘Well f***, it’s probably all over for me. I’m (nearly) 33, physically broken and lost’,” the Collingwood vice-captain said.

“Mentally it plays on your mind: Do I really want to be like this at this age and at this point of my career?

“FOMO (fear of missing out) played a big factor (in me wanting to get back), also my wife Kahlia was unbelievable. She got me over the line and gave me the kick up the arse whenever I needed it. I owe a lot to her and my family.

“It makes it worth it.”

Howe was among 10 current Collingwood players who played in the narrow 2018 Grand Final defeat to West Coast as one of many times this Magpies side has gone deep into September in recent years without taking home the silverware.

Going far in finals but coming up short has largely – and tragically – been a big part of the club’s story over its 131-year history, but the Pies on Saturday claimed their 16th flag – tied with Essendon and Carlton as the most of any club.

A game that went down to the final minute as Brisbane came at Collingwood until the dying stages, Howe described the triumph as “elation” and a “hell of relief.”

The backman said sharing the special victory in the rooms with friends and family was something he held particularly close to him.

“It’s just incredible and the moment you get to share with your family, you always dream of stuff like this. It’s really hard to get here,” Howe added.

“Chatting to ‘Pendles’ (Scott Pendlebury) and ‘Sidey’ (Steele Sidebottom), they’ve been craving for 13 years to get back (to another premiership win). They were just so proud of all the other boys and being able to share it with the rest of this group. It’s an amazing feeling.

“(I’m feeling) Gratitude, our club has been incredible the last two years of bringing our friends and family along the journey.

“To have everyone in the one room and being able to share it with your nearest and dearest. You get photos with the cup, that stays with you for life. That’s what you really remember and looking forward to really celebrating.”

While Pendlebury and Sidebottom had already won a flag in 2010, Howe – the third-most experienced Collingwood player after the aforementioned champion duo – finally ticked off the key milestone in the twilight stages of his career in his 233rd game.

Making his debut for Melbourne back in 2011, Howe was recruited by the Pies as an entertaining high-flyer to play forward before developing into a key staple of the their back six, one of the game’s best defenders and a central leader at the club.

Like so many of his teammates, Howe would now feel a sense of fulfilment by winning the most important accolade for anyone who plays the game.

“Unbelievable, as you get more experienced, you certainly appreciate things a lot more,” he said.

“To be able to get one, they can’t take it off me now. I’ve been in the system for 13-14 years, sometimes it doesn’t go your way but look at me now.”

Howe also revealed he played out the grand final with three broken ribs after copping a big hit from Charlie Cameron early in the fourth quarter.

It caused Howe to grimace in pain on the ground for some time and exit the game in the hands of medicos before he eventually, and bravely, returned.

“I tried to get a kick, Charlie Cameron came late and he closes the space quicker than anyone I’ve ever seen. He bumped me right in the ribs and felt it go pop and winded me,” he said.

“The Brisbane faithful were having a crack at me, so that’s probably the only reason I got back up. You get those hits, it wasn’t dirty.”

He quipped: “Pretty sure after 10 more beers I won’t feel a thing!”

You sense he might’ve indulged in a few more than that over the Pies’ epic celebrations in recent days.