Just when all the football news at the moment appears negative, one of the feel-good stories of the year will take place at Windy Hill this Sunday when Adam Ramanauskas lines up for the Bendigo Bombers. It will be the first time Ramanauskas has lined up since he played against Hawthorn at the MCG in Round 3, 2005.
Ramanauskas has been back on the training track for some months following the completion of his chemotherapy and the all clear from medical staff. His return may have happened earlier but for a mild hamstring strain three weeks ago. But all is now in readiness and Ramanauskas couldn't be happier.
""I am just really looking forward to getting out there again. It has been almost two years to the day so it has been a long road back,"" Ramanauskas said tonight. ""I am a bit nervous but I am sure once I get out there I will enjoy it.""
""I really want to thank everyone that has helped me over the past few years - family, medical staff and the whole club. Without the support of all these people I don't know if it would have happened so am I very thankful to each of them.""
MEANWHILE, Essendon will go into this weekend's game against St Kilda with an unchanged side. The team is:
Backs: Slattery Michael Ryder
Half Backs: McPhee Fletcher McVeigh
Centres: Dyson Stanton Lovett
Half Forwards: M. Johnson Lucas Hird
Forwards: Laycock Lloyd Davey
Rucks: Hille Peverill Winderlich
Bench: Heffernan Monfries Watson Jetta
Emergencies: Bradley Dempsey Johns
