Border Mail |
YARRAWONGA forward Brendan Fevola has issued an ominous warning on the eve of finals, saying he feels “100 per cent” better than he did at the same point last season.
Fevola will make his return from a two-match suspension in Saturday’s top-of-the-table blockbuster against Albury.
The former Carlton and Brisbane star carried a torn posterior cruciate ligament and chipped tibia bone during last year’s finals series and admitted he was looking forward to entering the business end of the season refreshed and injury-free.
“I feel 100 per cent better than this time last year,” Fevola said.
“I had a broken leg; hopefully I can stay injury free.
“Obviously I’ve played a lot of footy this year and being able to chill out for three weeks has been good in that way.
“The body is refreshed and I’m just looking forward to playing footy again.”
Fevola travelled to Vanuatu with his family while suspended.
He will play two matches at the sportsground this week, including a tribute game for Merv Neagle on Wednesday night.
A host of former AFL stars will play in that game.
Although the stakes have never been as high in an O & M home and away match, Fevola downplayed the importance of winning against the Tigers.
“It won’t be the end of the season, for whichever team that loses,” he said.
“They’re flying at the moment, too, and our boys had a good win over Wodonga on Saturday.
“It would be ideal to win and get the week off and hopefully we only have to play three more games for the year.
“The loss we had to Lavington a few weeks ago came at a good time and it had to happen eventually so it’s good that it’s out of the way.
“You can’t keep winning forever.”
Fevola is certain to play on Saturday, however, plenty of interest will surround the availability of three other former AFL players entering the game.
Craig Ednie (shoulder) and Kayne Pettifer (foot) will go into the clash under injury clouds while Geelong looks unlikely to release Brad Ottens from his coaching commitments at the AFL club.
