Sam Dwyer
PORT Melbourne premiership player Sam Dwyer made a successful return from a broken leg on Sunday and wants to make an impact as the Boroughs strive for back-to-back VFL premierships.
Dwyer, 26, missed the final five games of the home-and-away season.
He was welcomed back for Port Melbourne’s qualifying final win against Geelong, slotting back into the Boroughs’ midfield.
“I wasn’t at 100 per cent but I got through the game and that was the most important thing,” he said.
Dwyer’s injury was initially thought to be bone bruising.
“I kept getting pain in my leg and couldn’t get through a training session,” he said.
“I got a second opinion and it turned out to be a break.”
He spent 10 days on crutches after being informed he had broken his left fibula.
He is yet to get back into full training.
The former South Warrnambool player’s importance to the Boroughs was highlighted on Monday night when he was named in the VFL team of the year for a third time.
Dwyer was named on a half-forward flank.
“I was pretty surprised,” he said.
The team was announced at the Liston Trophy count, where Dwyer finished sixth, despite his injury shortened season.
Port Melbourne will play either Casey Scorpions or Williamstown in a preliminary final on September 15.
Dwyer said Port Melbourne was a vastly different side to the one which went through the 2011 season undefeated.
“It’s a fresh start, really,” he said.
“On the weekend we had nine players who didn’t play in the finals series last year in the team.”
As for his AFL chances, Dwyer said it wasn’t a focus.
“I will take it as it comes. My chances are probably slim now at 26,” he said.
“It’s getting smaller and smaller, the window of opportunity.”
justine.mc@standard.fairfax.com.au