Quietly spoken Henry Slattery today told media he was "counting his blessings" following a sickening clash with Brendan Fevola on the weekend saying things could have been worse.

Incredibly, the twenty-two year old is sporting only minor bruising and swelling.

"I can't remember the incident but looking at it yesterday it didn’t look to good," Slattery said.

“The fact his knee got me in the chest before he got me in the face was probably a good thing.

“I pulled up pretty well, I saw the doctors yesterday here (Windy Hill) and they said the (cheek bone) fracture is not too bad and it’s in a good spot so hopefully after two weeks it should be ok.”

Slattery, who has played 44 games, said Fevola called him soon after the incident.

“I got a call from him that night which was very nice of him,” he said.

“He basically said he felt a bit sick about what happened and that he was sorry and basically that he hopes I get better soon.”

 
Despite being knocked unconscious after dropping back to help Fletcher in defence, Slattery said it’s just part of footy.
 
“It’s not going to stop me again I suppose, it’s just one of those freak things that happens that doesn’t happen all the time. I would definitely do it again,” he said.

“I didn’t really think too much at the time you just want to help your fellow back man out and play as a tight group.

“My mum and girlfriend were there and I felt a bit sorry for them. I suppose it’s hard for a mum to go through that but for me I wasn’t sure what was going on.

“It is pretty hard for family watching at home. It’s the sort of thing you don’t like seeing your family go through.”