DYLAN Herbertson’s football comeback started with a training run.
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From there the itch to play came back. Simply, he wanted to be out on the field with his mates.
Herbertson, 24, signed with Port Fairy in the off-season and will make his Hampden league senior debut against Portland at Hanlon Park today — some eight months after an onfield collision left him in a serious condition in a Geelong hospital.
The former Hawkesdale-Macarthur midfielder, who will re-start his football journey as a defender, is aware of the risks he’ll take by resurrecting a career which appeared over when he lost 60 per cent of his left kidney following a freak accident in a game against Caramut.
Herbertson, who required three bouts of surgery and was off work for four months, said he wasn’t ready to hang up his football boots yet.
“It was always going to be hard not to go back and play,” he said.
“I was running and decided to go to training and run around with the balls, did match simulation and everything rolled on from there.
“I thought, why not give it one more crack and it’ll be good to have a crack at Hampden league as well.
“I am a bit hesitant about doing so but I did a bit of research and got Geelong Orthotics to make me a guard, the same as Tom Lonergan’s from Geelong.”
Herbertson played in the Seagulls’ practice matches and felt comfortable wearing his brace.
He’s regained a portion of the 14 kilograms he dropped when he was injured and feels well prepared to take on the Hampden league’s forwards.
“I am fitter than I was before the injury but it took a bit to get my body back to its physical strength,” he said.
“It’s definitely a different role to what I am used to but I am enjoying it.”
Port Fairy is eager capitalise on a strong off-season recruiting drive and put its 2014 wooden spoon season behind it.
Herbertson said the Seagulls, under new coach Brett Evans, were willing to learn and wanted to improve.
“The buzz around the club is good. Everyone is around the same age and that makes it enjoyable,” he said.
Coach Brett Evans is looking forward to today’s clash, unveiling several other recruits including former VFL trio, ruckman Jonathan Proud, key position player Guy Phelps and small forward/midfilder Tyrone Bean. Talented teen Liam Howarth also makes his debut for the club after crossing from South Warrnambool while former assistant coach Mick Sheehan returns after missing much of last season with injury.
Evans said Proud was a key addition, allowing Robbie Hare to play up forward more.
Portland coach Luke Crane will field a side with nine under 18½ players. He is excited about the young talent at the club but admits he knows little about his opponents.
“We don’t know much about the opposition but we are going into the game as a bit of an unknown too,” he said.
“Hopefully they just play with confidence and take the game on. I want everyone to have a crack.”
justine.mc@fairfaxmedia.com.au