FORMER AFL footballer Nick Bourke is over a nasty injury which derailed his pre-season and is confident he’ll be at peak fitness when he makes his Geelong league debut.
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Bourke, 20, will revive his career at Leopold in 2015 following a one-year stint on Geelong’s rookie list.
The Kolora-Noorat export, who opted to forgo VFL opportunities in favour of a year of country football, suffered a serious quad injury in his final training session before the Christmas break.
Bourke said the setback was disappointing but he was now in full training and had his sights set on a round one Lions’ debut.
“I had a bad run,” he said.
“I had a corked quad and had a bit of a blood clot and ended up missing seven or eight weeks from that.
“Over the Christmas break it just got worse and worse. I had to get a fair bit of blood drained out of it.
“I have only been back training for two or three weeks but there is still plenty of time to get my fitness up.”
Geelong delisted Bourke last September without an AFL game to his name.
The skilful wingman-midfielder played 15 VFL matches for the club and trained with the side after he was cut before committing to Leopold.
Bourke said he still harboured long-term ambitions of playing at the highest level.
“I had opportunities to go to Werribee and Collingwood as well but thought I’d have a year away and get back to enjoying my footy with mates,” he said.
“Growing up at Kolora-Noorat you love the country footy vibe and I am looking forward to a year of it playing with mates.
“It was the right decision for me.”
Bourke, who has started a plumbing apprenticeship, said he enjoyed his time in the AFL system.
He believes the chance to play at the elite level is still within his reach.
“I’ll probably have a year and re-assess where we’re at because I am definitely not done yet,” Bourke said.
“I’ll give it another crack for sure.
“I think I did everything I could (at the Cats) and it wasn’t the time for me.
“I am still only young — I’ve just turned 20.”