As Lachie Henderson returns to the AFL to take on some ferocious Swans, he is still getting over a close encounter with a shark.
The Geelong defender and his former Carlton teammate Jarrad Waite were surfing at Bells Beach last Friday when they were close to an incident.
A 2m shark became tangled with another surfer's leg rope and knocked him off his board.
The two players were only about 15m away.
It is understood that Henderson and Waite decided not to return to shore, reasoning that the shark was unlikely to return to the same spot.
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While Bells Beach and other popular surf spots are not far from Geelong, Henderson is among only a few Cats players who use the sport as a recreation.
Patrick Dangerfield is another notable Geelong surfer, but golf is far more popular among their players.
Henderson is expected to return from a knee injury for Friday night's preliminary final against Sydney at the MCG.
