By JARROD POTTER
THREE months on from a sickening collision which left him hospitalised, Matthew Buntine returned to the AFL ranks, running out for the Greater Western Sydney Giants against West Coast.
Buntine, 19, from Berwick, had his season put on hold in a freak collision with a former Dandenong Stingray and Berwick player – Carlton forward Levi Casboult – in the NAB Cup competition earlier this year which left him with broken ribs and a punctured lung.
The Berwick boys’ collision left Buntine hospitalised and needing surgery – and set back his 2013 AFL campaign dramatically.
“Obviously there was a big hit from Levi Casboult – it was a shock to me and probably just thought I was winded – but I couldn’t get an extra breath,” Buntine said.“I went into the rooms, was in a bit of distress then went to hospital and had some scans (which revealled I) had a punctured lung and two fractured ribs and was in hospital for two or three days.”
That all happened 24 February. By 21 April, Buntine was back playing for the Giants’ reserves team in the NEAFL.
Two weeks ago in his fourth UWS Giants appearance this year – the next significant milestone in his return from the collision happened as Buntine was listed best afield against the Brisbane reserves and earned his call up to return to the AFL.
“I played a month of our seconds – just needed to get some game practice in and build my match-fitness up and finish a long and enduring rehab,” Buntine said..
Without any contact drills at training following the accident, Buntine admits his first match was a daunting task to get back to body-on-body football, but he overcame those nerves after that initial hit out.
“I was a bit anxious initially coming back into contact,” Buntine said. “I had six weeks of training without contact – got a few knocks and bumps at training – so I was nervous, but as soon as I played I was fine.
“I played four games and this was my fifth – and it was a once in a lifetime sort of thing (the injury).”
Buntine’s first challenge back in the AFL was on West Coast’s crafty forward Mark Le Cras. He kept pace with the Eagle for the first half before the match opened up, leading to the visitors 100-point win over the Giants.
“It was a tough game that’s for sure – but it was good to get back,” Buntine said.
“The longer the game went, we weren’t able to keep up.
“I played on Le Cras in the first half and he didn’t have much of the ball – but the longer the game went the more tired I got and he got off the leash.
“It’s going to be tough for any young player to stand up against West Coast – but it was good to get back to the intensity of the game.”
The Giants head to the MCG this weekend to face Carlton, and while Casboult hasn’t featured in the top ranks for a few rounds, Buntine would love to see him out there and hopefully dish out a couple of fair hits of his own.
“Hopefully we’ll have a good game against Carlton this weekend,” Buntine said.
“I haven’t caught up with him (Casboult) since. It would be good if he’s out there and maybe I’ll even return the favour.”
GWS faces Carlton at Etihad Stadium from 1.45pm on Saturday.
