The frustration of season 2001 almost matches the elation of season 2000 for Bomber star Justin Blumfield. Blumfield had a brilliant season 2000 culminating in his near best-on-ground performance in the Grand Final. But season 2001 has been full of setbacks with two knee injuries sidelining him for prolonged periods of time. But it might just be about to all turn around for Blumfield who was best-on-ground in the VFL side's win over North Ballarat on Sunday. He looks certain to return to the senior side this weekend.

Blumfield had arthroscopic surgery earlier in the season to repair a slight tear in his posterior cruciate ligament. After recovering from that operation he re-injured the knee in the Bombers round 14 clash with the Western Bulldogs. The rehabiliation took longer than expected and he didn't resume playing until last weekend in the VFL side. But with two games under his belt Blumfield says he is now ready to return to the senior side.

""It (the knee) felt good on the weekend and I think I'm ready to play senior football,"" Blumfield said today. ""I could have played last weekend but the extra week in the VFL side will have done me good. I played four quarters of football and probably would have been on and off the ground a bit had I gone to Perth.""

""It has been a frustrating season - I just haven't been able to string games together,"" he said. ""Hopefully that is all behind me now and I can make a contribution in these last few weeks. It has been hard having to watch each week so I can't wait to get out there. I just hope the selectors think I'm ready and select me to play against Richmond.""

Blumfield said it was great to help the VFL side get into the finals. ""The conditions were very tough on the weekend but the boys kept working and got the rewards,"" Blumfield said. ""It is a pretty good side and if they can put it all together they might be able to cause some damage over the next few weeks. It will be a good experience for a couple of the younger blokes.""