Luckless Cat Nathan Vardy has made his triumphant return to football.
 
After numerous setbacks since tearing his ACL at training in early 2014, Vardy was finally able to suit up for the Cats in their loss to the Bombers in the VFL on Saturday.
 
It had been a long time coming for Vardy, with his last match almost 18 months ago in the 2014 NAB Challenge.
 
The 24-year-old was disappointed the team couldn’t get over the line in his return game, as the Cats went down by 13 points, but was happy to get through the match unscathed.
 
“I didn’t think I was going to set the world on fire and wasn’t hoping to set the world on fire, so it was just good to play footy,” Vardy said.
 
“I’ve done a lot of training but it’s probably not at the same tempo as (a game), so it just felt good to get through.”
 
With an aim to just get through the match and no pressure on him to perform, Vardy came into the match full of excitement more so than nerves.
 
“(Nerves) weren’t too bad actually, I was super excited but probably didn’t get nervous until standing in the race, just before we ran out,” he said.
 
“Once I actually stuck one, it felt a little bit better, it was just getting used to playing footy again and being around people.”
 
A word from Chris Scott during the week also played a big part in Vardy being able to play with confidence.
 
“He just said to go out and just enjoy playing footy, he didn’t care if I didn’t get a kick, it was just about me playing footy and feeling comfortable.”
 
Whilst Vardy was keen to get back to footy himself, he was buoyed for teammates Josh Cowan and Daniel Menzel in their ability to get back and play.
 
After being drafted with picks 17 (Menzel), 42 (Vardy) and 56 (Cowan) in the 2009 AFL Draft, injuries have led to the trio spending vast amounts of time in rehab and being unable to play together since 2011.
 
“I think we were all a bit nervous before the game and excited about the idea of playing together,” Vardy said.
 
“We hadn’t played together since 2011 and so it’s been a long time between drinks.
 
“We spent a lot of time in the rehab room and (there were) a lot of bad times so it was good to actually be out on the ground together and see that hard work pay off.”
 
Vardy’s ability was evident in the 2013 season where he played 10 games and was a key asset to the Cats’ finals campaign.
 
He averaged 11 hitouts, nine disposals and a goal per game during the 2013 season, showcasing his huge potential and at only 24 years of age, he still has time to improve.
 
But Vardy isn’t looking too far ahead and is aiming to take it week-by-week, just happy to be back doing what he loves.
 
“The big thing for me is just getting some continuity in my football and getting used to playing footy again.
 
“If the coaches start to come and tap me on the shoulder and say another good game or something like that, obviously that would be good but at the moment it’s just about playing footy.”