INJURED Geelong forward George Burbury is possibly the luckiest player in the AFL.
 
Burbury sustained multiple breaks in his jaw in a collision with Collingwood veteran Nick Maxwell on the opening night of the NAB Challenge.

Just nine days after surgery, the 21-year-old is back at Simonds Stadium and hopes his injury isn't a long-term setback.
  
He is keen to return to training next week and will wear a fleuro cap so his teammates know not to tackle him.
 
Before the incident, the young forward had been considered a genuine chance of securing a regular spot in Geelong's senior side.
 
He's now aiming to be available for round two, but he's not yet sure if he'll have any concerns returning to battle.
 
"I don't know, I'd like to say no, and everything will be fine," he said on Friday. 
 
"I think when you're out there playing AFL, as you all know, you don't have that much time to even think about the decision you make, you've just got to make it and go with it.
 
"I'll just keep playing my natural game."
 
Burbury said he was fully conscious after the brutal collision with Maxwell.

"Unfortunately I didn't get knocked out … (because) I would have hopefully woken up in hospital and been on morphine," he said .
 
"I'll never run out there without a mouthguard again - I actually had the mouthguard in luckily and that didn't get taken out until the surgery."
After an operation last Thursday, he flew home to Tasmania.
 
"I can't chew at the moment," he said. "I obviously can't eat steak or chicken and high-nutrient foods.
 
"Mum's just been cooking me risotto and mashed-up spaghetti bolognese."
 
Vision of Burbury writhing in agony after the incident makes for sickening viewing. The young Cat has seen the footage, describing the feeling as "uncomfortable" but it was his mum who was more concerned.
 
"She wasn't happy, I suppose no mother would be if your son was put in that situation," he said.