Vardy takes first step for senior return
Posted by Brent DiamondAug 6. 2012 2:39 pm
GEELONG ruckman Nathan Vardy made an impressive comeback to footy in the VFL against North Ballarat at Eureka Stadium on Saturday.
It was his first game of the season after enduring a struggle with a hip injury that threatened his career.
Cats VFL skipper Troy Selwood said Vardy was one of the “better players” in the Cats’ 11-point win over the Roosters.
“He played pretty well and pulled up pretty well and he got a fair bit of the footy,” Selwood said.
“My understanding was that he was in the top end of our best players so I think he was pleased with his form. I know the coach was pleased that he got a few touches.”
“I thought he was one of our better ones to be honest. I thought he competed when he needed to, took some strong marks, he copped some big hits and he was able to get through it so I think that both the VFL coaching staff and AFL coaching staff are rapt with the way he applied himself and the way his body pulled up,” he said.
Vardy will play a second VFL game against Casey at Casey Fields this Saturday before staking a claim for a senior recall.
His return will be vital for the Cats given Trent West is likely to be sidelined for at least the next month with a medial ligament strain. Mature age ruckman Orren Stephenson has been forced to go alone in the ruck in his absence.
Vardy also gives the Cats another attacking option on return.
Others to put their hands up for a recall for the Cats include midfielders Shannon Byrnes, Jordan Schroder and Jonathan Simpkin, while dashing midfielder David Wojcinski also showed some promising glimpses of his best.
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Tags: Geelong, Nathan Vardy, Orren Stephenson, Trent West
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