Bolton backs himself for Cats clash
Jude Bolton says he hopes to return to the field for the Sydney Swans round 23 clash against Geelong...
Sydney Swan Jude Bolton is hopeful of making his return from injury in the team’s final home and away match against Geelong at Simonds Stadium in round 23.
The 32-year-old hyper-extended his knee in the Swans round 19 win over Carlton, and has been striving to make his return to the Swans side in the lead-up to this year’s finals’ series.
Bolton, who appeared on FOX FOOTY’s On the Couch program last night, said he had hoped to return this weekend against the Hawthorn, but was more likely to be fit to play the following week.
"I'm a big chance of playing next week, not this week," Bolton said.
"I've really pushed hard to put my hand up for the Hawthorn game, but hopefully (I’ll be back next week).”
Bolton, who is just three games short of his 300-game milestone, said he was thrilled to know he would still be able to line up alongside his team mates in 2012.
The Swans veteran admitted he had thought the worst when the injury occurred three weeks’ ago.
“Sitting on the sidelines in the Carlton game I was a bit worried it was all over," Bolton said.
"I'm just wrapped I can actually contribute this season.
“Hobbling off didn’t feel great and then I actually felt a bit like (Port Adelaide’s) Robbie Gray I guess and thought I might have broken my leg or something like that.”
Bolton, who is in his 14th season with the Swans, said he would leave any discussions about his football future until the end of this season.
“(The club and I) had a bit of a chat early, but both parties have said ‘let’s deal with it at the end of the season’,” he said.
“I’ve been on one-year contracts ever since Roosy looked after it.
“I’ve had a pretty good run with injuries and I’ve been pretty blessed in that sense.”
Instead, Bolton said he and the team are focused on the all-important final two weeks of the home and away season, which will see the Swans take on premiership hopefuls Hawthorn and Geelong.
“We certainly wanted to start bridging the gap between the top teams and we feel we’re starting to get there, but there is still Hawthorn and Geelong sitting before the finals, so two great tests for our club.”
