Feeling fitter than ever, young Richmond defender David Astbury is intent on putting his challenging injury run behind him, and cementing a spot in the Tigers’ team.

It was less than five minutes into the first term against the Round 12 clash with Sydney at the SCG in 2011, when a collision with Swans midfielder Ben McGlynn proved disastrous for Astbury.

Astbury was in agony as he was stretchered from the field with a dislocated kneecap.

The injury sidelined Astbury for the rest of the 2011 season.

“I picked up the ball and then my left foot slipped a little bit and the muscle on the outside of my left leg contracted really hard and ripped my kneecap out of the spot.  It tore all my medial ligaments,” Astbury said.

“It was pretty nasty and really painful.”

In November 2011, three months into his rehabilitation, Astbury was having difficulty progressing in the gym, and he was forced to undergo further arthroscopic surgery, which meant he was forced to spend extra time on the sidelines.

Before suffering the knee injury, Astbury had also undergone a hip operation.

Astbury then copped another setback on the comeback trail, when he was struck down by a stress reaction in his left foot.  That kept him out of action for the remaining of the Tigers’ pre-season, as he recuperated for several weeks in a moon boot.

“There were a lot of things that kept me going,” Astbury said.

“I sort of got stuck into my uni work and made sure I was stimulated in that sense. It was pretty tough, but you just have to surround yourself with good people.”

One of those good people was (now former) teammate Kelvin Moore, who Astbury drew strength from.  Moore helped him overcome the injury and return to the playing field.

“It was a pretty ordinary time to be honest,” Astbury said.

“I was pretty lucky at the time I had a guy who was going through a serious hip condition, Kelvin Moore, who finished at the end of 2012. He was more experienced than me, really level-headed and he really helped me through rehab.”

Following a solid run at VFL level with Coburg, Astbury was recalled to play for Richmond in the middle of this season. He subsequently played a valuable role in the Tigers’ past two wins against ladder-leader Hawthorn and the Brisbane Lions.

Astbury is now keen to put the past few injury-interrupted years behind him, and start developing some continuity with his football.

“I’ve got a lot more confidence in my body, and I’m starting to adapt to the speed of AFL again. Obviously, I’ve spent a long time on the sidelines, and it wasn’t going to be easy to pick up, but I’m feeling a lot better,” Astbury said.

“I’ve had a couple of niggly injuries since, but my body is feeling the best it’s felt. Touch wood it stays that way.”

With Richmond having secured a finals berth for the first time in 12 years, and talented, young defender Dylan Grimes returning the line-up, Astbury is aware that he has his work cut out retaining his place in the side.

“We’ve got Dylan Grimes coming back, who’s been an integral part of the backline for a while, but if I continue to play my role, I don’t want to give the coaches any excuse to push me out,” Astbury said.

“I’ve spoken to Damien and he’s sort of happy with the way I’m progressing, and sees a future here for me, so I’ve just got to keep on doing that, keep it a week-to-week thing, and make sure I’m doing my role.

“I just want to cement a spot in the team and play some consistent footy.”