Key Essendon midfielder, Jason Winderlich, says he suffered a major injury scare ahead of the club's season opening clash against Geelong in March.
After a enduring two major back operations in 2008, the courageous 25-year-old said his 2010 season hit an early, worrying hurdle.
“I started off this year pretty slowly, I had a back spasm in the week leading up to Round 1 and that put me back a bit,” Winderlich said.
""That limited my training but now, in the last month, I’ve played some good footy and been able to get some continuity in my training.
“That’s the key and that’s what helped me play good footy last year, just being able to train every week and play on the weekends.""
Winderlich said that the midfield group has familiarised themselves with each other’s playing styles and is really starting to work well together.
“We’ve played nine games together now as a midfield group,"" he said.
""Jake Melksham has come in, Prismall is starting to hit some form and Jobe has been steady all year.
""We’re starting to get that feeling amongst the group where we know how each other plays and we’ve got good chemistry out there now.”
Winderlich is looking forward to facing the Bulldogs tomorrow night and bringing up the club's fourth win in five weeks.
“I think the doggies will try and come out pretty physical at the start but obviously, the way the rules are these days, there’s nothing you really have to worry about,” Winderlich said.
""I think they’ll come out playing some pretty attacking footy as well.
“We dropped the Port Adelaide game that we should’ve won so getting a win this week and making it three in a row would almost put us back in the eight.
""It’s going to be a tough game but these are the sort of games we really want to win.
""You have to try and beat a few top teams to get in the eight. If you do actually get in the eight then anything can happen at the end of the year.""
Members note: High Mark members will get the chance to hear exclusively from Henry Slattery before the game this Friday night (Rd 10) in the Laureate Room.
The player will appear at approximately 6.30pm for a Q&A so High Mark members are advised to arrive early.
