Draftee Riley Garcia has taken his first steps back into footy after a serious knee injury.
The West Australian product joined the Western Bulldogs with pick 62 in last year’s NAB AFL Draft, just months after having an ACL reconstruction.
He’s completed most of his rehab as a Bulldog – and after 12 months on the sidelines, was back in the thick of the action on Sunday.
The 19-year-old pulled on the red, white and blue for the first time in a scratch match on the Gold Coast, playing one quarter and getting through unscathed.
“It’s been a while since I arrived at the club, but I’m very stoked to come out and wear this jumper – just for a quarter today – but I feel pretty honoured to have worn it,” Garcia said.
“It was pretty special.
“Obviously a massive amount of work goes into my recovery behind scenes, and it’s a credit to the medical staff, Nick Stone and Chris Bell for working closely with me. I’m pretty happy with how it’s all worked out.
“It’s been a while since I’ve tackled a few bodies.
“I’m pretty grateful just to have played a quarter and worked the minutes up, it was nice and exciting.”
