When you get the first knock, it kind of wakes you up: you know, they are men, and it is not like Under-18s when you can take loads of knocks and know you will be fine, that you won't feel anything after the game. You definitely get harder knocks, but it helps. You just get up and get on with the game, and then you can give it to them back.
This quote captures the raw reality of facing physical and mental challenges in professional sports. It highlights the distinction between youth and adulthood in terms of resilience; young players might recover quickly from hits and setbacks, often without feeling significant pain or consequences. However, as players mature, especially at the professional level, encounters become more intense and impactful. The initial
