Scott Gumbleton will make his first appearance for the season when he returns to competitive football for Bendigo as they take on bottom of the table Box Hill Hawks on Monday at Box Hill City Oval.

After suffering a knee injury and hamstring strain earlier this year, Gumbleton has completed almost three months of rehabilitation and will finally make his return through Essendon’s VFL affiliate.

Taken at Pick 2 in the 2006 National Draft, Gumbleton excited Bomber fans with his five senior games last year and they will be eager to see how he performs in his first outing for 2008, with the prospect of him soon returning to the senior Essendon side.

Coach Matthew Knights said Gumbleton - who has been named on the wing - is expected to play between 60 and 70 minutes of football for Bendigo. He will be a big ""in"" for a team that continues to show signs of improvement despite only two wins for the season.

In the past two rounds Bendigo trailed top of the table Williamstown by only two goals going into the final term before eventually going down by six goals and led Coburg by eight points at half-time before losing by 51-points.

While the two second half fade-outs are a concern, the impressive early quarters indicate that the team is heading in the right direction.
 
A consistent four quarter effort is now the major focus as Bendigo has shown the ability to compete and be successful against the best sides in the competition.
 
The winless Box Hill has been close on several occasions in the first half of the season and while they will provide another tough game for Bendigo, the Bombers are a good chance to take the points on Monday.
 
Team

B Holmes Michael Flaherty

HB Crameri Johns Atkinson

C Williams Skipworth Gumbleton

HF Magin Hooker Davies

F Dick Weeks Bowe

R Bellchambers Peverill Ramanauskas

Int: Bristow Fahour Hartigan Chartres Geary Coghlan Granger

 
BendigoBombers play Box Hill Hawks on Monday 9 June, at 2pm, at Box Hill City Oval.