Speedy Essendon midfielder, Jason Winderlich, has vowed to focus all of his efforts on playing his best football next season despite undergoing major back surgery for the second time in four months.
 
The 24-year-old was operated on this week to repair a reoccurring complaint which troubled him for much of the 2008 season.

“You only get one chance to play and it is my job and I love doing it,” Winderlich said.

“There are only so many times you can get this operation done but it is definitely worth going through the pain if it means at the end of the day I’m going to be playing at 100% rather than 75 – 80%.

“My speed is my biggest asset and in order to use it to my advantage, I have to get my body right.”

Winderlich had the first operation in June after experiencing severe pain following Essendon’s Round 11 clash with Hawthorn.
 
While that operation was ultimately unsuccessful, this time the medical experts are pleased with the results.

“The surgeon said it went extremely well and was very happy with it,” Winderlich said.

“Before having surgery the second time, we questioned if it would be better for me to try and do a pre-season, however following the operation the doctors said we made the right decision because it had to be done.”

Winderlich will be bed-ridden for the next four weeks before easing back into physical activity.
 
Following surgery, he will be unable to drive a car for a month and will only be allowed out of bed for four short walks a day. For the first two weeks, he will be unable to bend over at all.

The midfielder was grateful for the support of his team-mates as he underwent the operation.

“The boys have been great,” Winderlich said.

“They were disappointed for me this year because I had a really good year in 2007 despite missing a few games with a hamstring injury.

“They know how much I love the game and they want to see me back out there playing at 100 percent.”
 
Winderlich was voted Essendon's Most Improved player in 2007 and has played 56 games for the Bombers.