The left-footed wingman has broken his right foot three times, including once earlier this season.

He returned against Koroit last weekend and will run out against Terang Mortlake at Terang on Saturday.

"I've had a pretty bad run the last three or four years," Hickey said.

"It was not too bad as a junior and when I got to under 18s I broke my foot in the first year and again two years ago and again this year."

Hickey, 20, said all three injuries had been different and none had required surgery, just rest.

"I missed a whole year of under 18s and the other two were eight-week ones," he said.

"It was frustrating being on crutches."

MORE FOOTBALL:

His latest setback happened in round two against North Warrnambool Eagles.

"I went up for a mark and my legs got taken out and I landed funny," he said.

"I heard a crack and I thought I'd just rolled my ankle but scans showed a break in there.

"I was just in a moon boot for four weeks and then had two weeks of excerises and running."

Hickey, who lives in Cobden but works at a dairy factory in Camperdown, said the worst of the foot concerns happened as a bottom-age under 18 player.

"One didn't heal too well and when I came out of the moon boot it was still really sore so I was advised by a sports doctor to have the whole year off," he said.

But the former Mercy Regional College student, who is one of four siblings, hopes he's now capable of cementing his spot in Cobden's best 21.

"I had a pretty good pre-season, got my fitness right up and I am feeling really fit," he said.

"(Coach) Adam (Courtney) is playing me up on a wing, just working hard both ways and sneaking forward kicking a couple of goals."

The Bombers are part of Hickey's family. His dad Paul was junior president for six years, sisters Sarae (division one), Tayla (17 and under) and Emily (12 and under) play netball and brother Luke under 18 football.

"I have lived there my whole life, always played at Cobden," Hickey said.

"I am about 800 metres from the oval. As a kid I'd always walk up to training and I got a bit lazy as I got older and I just drive up.

"There is still a good culture at the club and everyone is excited for the future. We're all having fun, we're a close group and all good mates. We're all around that 18-24 age bracket."

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.