BRENTON Webster is hoping he can brush aside the mental demons of two knee reconstructions as he aims a return to the field for Allansford in 2020.
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The 28-year-old key forward has not played football since his last reconstruction at the end of 2017, when he was playing with Warrnambool and District league rivals Merrivale, and is eager to continue his career with the Cats.
Webster, who won the club's best and fairest in his final year at Allansford Recreation Reserve in 2015, said he was "seeing how things go" during his first pre-season since his last knee setback.
"I've definitely missed playing and it has been frustrating but there is no point going out there if it (the knee) is not right," the right-footer said.
"But I feel this is my last crack to make sure everything is right."
The former North Warrnambool Eagle said he would continue to listen to his body as he puts in the work to ensure he's ready for the rigours of football.
"It's feeling OK at the moment but I don't want to do any contact before Christmas and I'll just listen to the body for when I do start competitive work," he said.
"I'm getting endurance back and still working on my strength and making sure my body is ready for the rough and tumble of footy."
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Allansford coach Ben Price said he had spoken to the Warrnambool Special Development School teacher in the past to gauge his interest in returning to the club.
"We spoke to Brenton over the last couple of seasons he hasn't been playing football after his knee surgeries and he didn't want to test himself and wanted to wait for his body to be ready," he said.
"We waited our time and this season was the perfect chance to get him back into the system and back into enjoying some footy and we will see how he goes.
"Hopefully his body holds up for him but his personal welfare will be put first."
Price said Webster, who kicked 59 goals from his 20 games back in 2015, would form a formidable pairing with fellow Cats big forward Brent Membrey.
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