Jason Butina.
By Michael Esposito
JASON Butina could be the ace Albion needs to defend its premiership. But he is not expecting to instantly rediscover the X-factor he possessed before the crushing right ankle injury he sustained mid-way through the 2009 season, despite an impressive display against Spotswood on Saturday.
“I was absolutely shattered (when I got injured) because I love playing my sport, I played for years, and when that happened it was really hard to deal with but I just worked hard and tried to work my way back,” Butina told Star last week.
The journey back was longer than expected. If Butina’s recovery went to plan, he would have a premiership medallion, but the estimated 12 months recovery period ballooned to almost two years after doctors discovered two bones had fused, and he had to undergo surgery a second time.
Butina made his comeback via Albion’s reserves on 21 May and played his first senior game since 2009 on 18 June, enjoying a 118-point win against North Footscray.
Coach Marcus Barclay said a goal to Butina in the last quarter against the Red Devils was a significant moment.
“Every player on the ground congratulated him. I think North Footscray were thinking, ‘wait a minute, you’re 100 points up and you’re celebrating’. I think it was more just for him,” he said.
Barclay lauded Butina’s determination to make his way back into an Albion side jam-packed with talent.
“His training has been unbelievable. He would have to have run 1000 laps I reckon in the last four months. Fitness-wise, he’s fantastic. It’s almost like a new recruit for us.”
Butina won Albion’s best-and-fairest award in 2006, playing primarily as a midfielder, but he expects to play out the rest of this season up forward. A proven goalkicker, Butina will add another dangerous dimension to what is already a formidable forward line featuring Shaydon Bloomfield and Romain Grenville. But the man himself is just happy to be out on the park.
“I don’t mind pushing up forward around the wing, I’m just happy to be playing again, where ever they see a good fit for me I’ll be happy to play there.”
