Fresh off signing a new contract, young gun Connor Budarick is ready to re-establish himself in the AFL team after an injury-affected 2021. 

After sustaining a season ending injury in what was shaping to be a breakout season, 21-year-old Budarick is happy to extend his stay at the club he has supported since its inception. 

“I've always been a loyal person and growing up supporting this footy club I've always seen it as a as part of my future,” Budarick said. 

“I’ve been through the Academy and had a couple pre-seasons where I've come and trained with the boys as well. I was very comfortable and very familiar with the club already.” 

The Gold Coast local burst forth in 2020, making 15 appearances in his debut season. 

His second season was cruelly ended in just his second game after he sustained a season-ending ACL injury. 

Since returning to the game and with a new contract locked away, Budarick was adamant on now focussing on his football. 

“I'll just try and let my game do the talking,” Budarick commented. 

“I've got high expectations of myself to go out and perform but then I've got to have a bit of perspective because I haven’t played footy in 365 days.” 

Having started the season in the VFL squad and having already played two games, the defender has regained full confidence in his knee after a successful rehabilitation. 

Speaking about his injury the 2020 NAB AFL Rising Star nominee stated, “I've put in a mountain of work over all of last year and through the pre-season to get myself to where I am.

“Because of that I have full confidence in my body to be able to hold up.” 

Budarick will look to continue his comeback and stake a claim for a return to the AFL team.