Essendon veteran Jason Winderlich is eyeing an AFL return in just two weeks time.

Winderlich hasn’t featured for the Bombers this season but after an impressive comeback in the VFL last week, he’s penciled in the match against Hawthorn on June 27^th as his desired return date.

“I really wanted to play a minimum of two games in the VFL so I played pretty much just under three quarters and I had two sort of extended rests per quarter on the bench,” Winderlich told SEN this morning.

“This week in the VFL I’ll just play a normal game, just one rest per quarter, then have the bye the week after – I dare say I’ll cop a flogging on the Friday and then hopefully come in for the Hawthorn game after the bye.

Having endured a career riddled with injury, Winderlich suffered another setback in the pre-season when he went down with another back complaint.

“At the end of January I had a lot of back pain.  I kept trying to push through it because obviously I don’t think I’m going to play for much longer, so I just wanted to play and keep pushing through,” he said.

The 30 year old was having a running shot at goal when he felt something in his lower back ‘just-go’.

“Within half an hour I couldn’t walk properly and couldn’t even drive my car home. 

“I’d prolapsed or ruptured a disc in my lower back so I got sent home for three or four weeks just for bed rest.  Then it just wasn’t improving so I decided with ‘Reidy’ (Dr Bruce Reid) to go on the long-term injury list.”

Time on the sideline is nothing new for Winderlich.

Since being drafted with the 11^th pick in the 2002 National Draft, the Gippsland product has experienced serious hamstring, knee and back injuries. 

“Three times now throughout my career I’ve been told I’m never going to play again,” he said. 

“When I get a bad back, I drive a manual (car), I get referred pain all down my left leg.  I’ve had that for eight years.

“When I push the clutch in I get a short little stabbing pain in my lower back. 

“I’ve had a knee reconstruction as well but there is nothing worse than having back pain.  It almost paralyses you at home.”

Winderlich has a burgeoning recycled timber business and a young family so life after football is a strong consideration.

It was those factors that led to him announcing his retirement last season.

But after a few weeks of further consideration, Winderlich changed his mind.

“As soon as I got a sore back again – I was like ‘jeez what have I done?” he said. 

Winderlich will line up for the Essendon VFL side on Saturday against Frankston.

He collected 18 possessions in the match last week and was praised by Coach Paul Corrigan for his leadership. 

“It was good to get out and play with all the young guys.

“We’ve got a lot of exciting young blokes that we’ve picked up over the last couple of years, so it is good fun to get the chance to play with them.”