Young Cat George Burbury spoke to SEN about his remarkable recovery, thanks to the medical professionals who had him back on the big stage within seven weeks from breaking his jaw.

Burbury concedes it was the clear medical instructions that enabled him to make the best recovery he could from a severe break.

“I was just lucky that I had good people around me and the surgeon was great,” Burbury said.

“He outlined it from the start that it was going to be six weeks until I would be back playing, provided that I went about my rehab correctly and didn’t put too much stress on it by eating the wrong foods.

“And the medical guys at the club were guided by Richard Wood, the surgeon, by what he had to say – and I got a lot of outside advice as well, I was very fortunate.”

At the beginning of Burbury’s recovery he admitted that he felt nervous about getting back, however, his first on-field collision didn’t let those hovering nerves stay around for long.

“I played in the VFL two weeks ago and I suppose it was fortunate that I got nailed in the first contest, the first 30 seconds, where I copped a big one square in the back of the head,” Burbury explained.  

“I think that was a little confident booster for me as it allowed me to know that what the surgeon was saying and all the people in the medical world were right - and I could just go about my footy as I always try to do.”

After several weeks of intensive rehab, Burbury was able to play his first AFL game at the MCG, which allowed him to finish off what he had started seven weeks ago in the NAB Challenge against the Pies.    

Fortunately for Burbury, the management of his diet meant that he could sustain his weight and strength for a quick return.   

“I had two weeks where I was really on the soft stuff like risotto, soup, mashed up carrots - but then three or four weeks post surgery I started getting into more substantial food – so I was able to maintain a little bit of body weight,” Burbury said.  

“And then the two weeks leading into that first game in the VFL I was pretty right to go about my normal diet and I haven’t lost too much weight luckily.”

Growing up on a farm in the middle of Tassie, Burbury appreciates the easy lifestyle and community spirit that Geelong’s small city offers.

“Geelong suits me perfectly, I’ve got Melbourne 50 minutes up the road and Torquay 10 minutes the other way, and I’ve got a nice network of friends down here,” Burbury said.

“I suppose having the one AFL team in the one town it encourages everyone to buy into the same thing and there’s a real community feel down here.”

This Saturday join the Geelong Cats and the Cotton On Foundation as they come together to encourage Geelong and it’s surrounding regions to unite as one for the city’s March Geelong.

Following an hour of entertainment the march will commence at 5:30pm from the Steampacket Gardens and conclude at Simonds Stadium before the game. Click here for more details and to regisiter.