Star Richmond midfielder Nathan Foley made a successful playing comeback with Coburg in the VFL yesterday (Sunday, April 21).

Foley, who had been sidelined since rupturing the Achilles tendon in his right foot last July, had 18 disposals and kicked a goal in a half of football.

“It was good to get back out there, have a kick and a bit of a run around, and blow out some cobwebs,” Foley told ‘Roar Vision’.

“I was quite nervous.  Obviously, when you haven’t played for quite a while, it’s a bit nerve-wracking to get back out there.

“But it was nice to get a few early touches.  The boys looked after me, and got me a bit of the ball, which was nice of them . . .

“It was good fun to play some competitive football again.

“I certainly blew pretty hard at times . . . I was pretty exhausted.

“You can run laps of the oval all day, but nothing compares to match fitness.”

The next step on the comeback trail for the 27-year-old veteran of 120 league games, will be taken following consultation with the Club’s Elite Performance Manager Peter Burge and the Club’s medical staff.

“I’ll sit down with ‘Burgey’ and the medicos and just continue to increase the game time.  I’ll probably play around three quarters against Box Hill (for Coburg) next Saturday,” he said.

“Hopefully, my form and fitness can be good enough to, in time, get back in the ‘ones’.”