Reiners, who debuted for the Glory three years ago at the age of just 17, was viewed by many as of one of Australia’s brightest young products.

The South African-born forward came through Football West’s National Training Centre and the FFA Centre of Excellence in Canberra, and played 10 times for the Joeys.

But his career fell apart in April 2017 when he suffered a horrendous training accident that ruled him out of the football for more than a year.



Reiners tore all the ligaments in his left ankle, broke bones and dislocated his ankle, when he collided with a football mannequin while at Glory's training ground.

“I was in training, and I happened to get involved in a tackle and there was a mannequin involved as well right on the side of the pitch,” Reiners told The World Game.



“We were playing a small-sided game, I struck the ball and got pressure from one side, which was to be expected. But as I ran off past the past, because I came with a bit of speed, but I looked to my left thinking I would run past the post.

“But I’ve actually ran into a mannequin that was right next to the goalpost planted there. My right ankle planted at the base of this metal mannequin and basically I couldn’t stop myself.

“I hopped over with my left foot, my right foot planted at the base and it just snapped. I needed major ankle reconstruction surgery. I tore all my ligaments in my ankle, I broke both bones, I dislocated my ankle as well.

“It was a whole ugly scene to be fair. I was out for … rehab took me roughly 10 months, which was earlier than they expected. The doctors thought I would be out for at least a year.

“I started training, still with a little bit of pain but I was managing it.”

KALGOORLIE BOUND | Look who we bumped into on our way to the Goldfields! #FinlaysonCentreOpening #channel10 pic.twitter.com/RGB68ikjz5 — Perth Glory FC (@PerthGloryFC) March 17, 2017

Reiners admits the mental fight to get back on the pitch was the hardest thing as he contemplated giving football away completely.

“Mentally that was the biggest challenge,” he said.

“I’ve had injuries before in my life but that was a different challenge. I’m steadfast in my faith and I pray every day, but honestly there were days when … I don’t know, I didn’t think I would maybe play again because of the horror of thinking about it and the actual pain, rehab sometimes as well.”

At the same as he was recovering from the freak injury the striker, then only 19, was dealing with the sudden death of his father.



“In the midst of it I was going through a lot,” Reiners said.



“The injury only made things worse. It came at a pretty bad time, mentally I’d be a fool to say it didn’t take a lot out of me. I have to focus on playing. There’s no other way to really explain it, you have to go through it to understand what it’s like.



“Being so young and losing my father as well, at that age, and he was the one who always backed me through everything. He let me know the real of it as well, having that role model to always have your back but also let you know when you need to push harder.



“Just being a good positive influence on my football career and my life in general. For me that was something that was a lot bigger than football, and you could say my career was at a standstill at that point.”

Reiners managed to work his way back on to the training pitch after a long absence, but departed Glory mid-way through last season after contract negotiations broke down.

The forward, who made 17 A-League appearances for his hometown side, has been without a club since.



“Perth were really good, they offered to help with my rehab. I was just on an insurance contract at that time,” he said.



“I was in contract negotiations before I got injured as well, so that sort of threw a massive spanner in the works. After the rehab I had done I had to do football rehab, just training a lot without any pain and me running, say full speed almost, took nine months.



“And then I was ready by the start of mid-November and I then training until the end of December and in January they were telling me I needed to train with the first-team. They said they could offer me a lesser contract, a scholarship contract, but I wasn’t happy with that so I left.

“From my point of view, I was doing what I needed to do to get back in the squad and try and negotiate a new contract as well. But, in their eyes, they see once you’re wounded, especially an injury like that.



“In essence it was their fault too, I could have sued them but I didn’t decide to go down that route. It’s a work-safety injury as well. It wasn’t a tackle.



“I guess had to roll with the punches and decided I’m a young player, I’ve got a lot of other things I’ve got to worry about first.”

After a long period out of the professional ranks, Reiners is ready for another shot.

He has spent time training with NPL WA club Bayswater City this year and his ankle has fully recovered.

“I’ve been in training, I’ve been training myself as well and I’m doing everything right,” Reiners said.



“I’m just waiting for my chance. I’m fully recovered. To be fair, I feel stronger. I’ve got a few screws in there but I feel great.

“I feel like I’ve definitely come out the other side stronger person mentally. If I can withstand that, and get over that hump, then I’m untouchable.”



Reiners said he is open to A-League offers or playing overseas if the opportunity arises.

Still only 20, he is adamant he has a lot left to give in his footballing career.



“The best step for me at the moment is I’m looking to get back into the A-League,” he said.



“At the same time, I’m not one to say no to going overseas as well. At the moment it’s best for me to start playing again, whether that’s locally in one of the NPLs.

“I’ve got a lot more to give on the pitch. It puts things into perspective. You realise you might only get one chance in life. If I’m lucky enough to get that chance again, I’m hungrier than ever.”