After a year disrupted by injury James Ferry is fully fit and ready to make an impact when the VFL season gets underway next week.

A knee injury in 2016 saw Ferry spend part of the home and away season on the sidelines.

He returned later in the season and was part of the Bombers finals campaign before undergoing an ankle reconstruction in October. 

Six months on and Ferry is back on the park ahead on the VFL side’s season opener on April 15 against Sandringham.

“I’m working on the core and getting the legs fit and strong and just getting ready for the start of the season,” Ferry said.

“The knee is good – hopefully that’s the last time it will go, it feels really strong now.

“That was a big emphasis this year – getting the quads, hamstrings and claves really strong.

“I feel really fit and ready to go.”

Before hurting his knee last year, Ferry had been one of the side’s best performers and was rewarded with a call-up to the Victorian state squad.

The knee injury derailed those plans in the immediate term, but the desire for higher honours, including a spot on an AFL list, remains.

“It was a bit of a set back. I did the same thing three years ago, so it was a little bit of déjà vu,” Ferry said. 

“It was a shock but it was good to reflect and I got to focus on a few things outside of footy.

“I’m definitely keen to get on a list somewhere … we’ll keep working towards it and see what happens.

“Hopefully I can just get through a full year and have a good season with the guys and we’ll see what happens.”

Ferry is a member of the Leadership Group for this season and will work under new Coach Paul Corrigan.

The pair’s relationship dates back several seasons.
“He was my backline coach in my first year, so it’s nice to see him at the top now,” Ferry said.

“The way Paul Corrigan talks to the younger blokes and gets around the group is really good.

“That’s one thing that is a real strength of ‘Corra’, his knowledge of the game and he’s been here for a few years now.

“I’m really enjoying having him as Coach and I think we’ll have a really good year with him.”