Ryan Lonie spoke to CTV after making a triumphant return to the Magpie side against the Bombers after a 15-week hiatus.
Lonie has spent much of the season overcoming a groin problem and hasn’t appeared for Collingwood since the round one victory over the Kangaroos.
But after a series of strong performances for Williamstown in recent weeks, Lonie gathered 20 touches and four tackles in the terrific 29-point victory over Essendon.
“The body feels pretty good, it’s obviously good every time we have a good win,” Lonie said in the rooms after the game.
In fact it took no time for Lonie, who had an excellent first quarter, to back into it.
“I actually wasn’t trying to hunt the footy, I was trying to lay a couple of tackles and just get involved.
“That’s what the side’s been pretty good at all year, the one-percenters. I just tried to tackle and chase, and the ball just happened to fall my way.”
In what was an enthralling contest, the Magpies led by 45 points late in the second term before the Bombers mounted a strong challenge to draw within a couple of goals in the final stanza.
But Lonie said it was a sign of the team’s character that it was able to pull away thereafter and record its tenth win.
“Essendon were travelling along ok, obviously trying to get their season back on track to draw level with us, but it was a good fighting win in the end by the boys.”
“It probably shows how much improvement we’ve had, and how much the group’s matured, so probably last year, or the year before we might’ve given it in, but the boys’ credit they fought back, it was a great win.”
The 24-year-old, who racked up 118-games in his first six seasons at the club, said it’s been frustrating watching on for so long from the sidelines, but he’s just happy to be back in a winning team.
“It’s just good fun to be back out there, to contribute, as long as I contribute every week, that’s what I’m after.
“It’s been pretty frustrating, the boys winning as well so you want to be part of it, it’s just good fun to be back out there, to contribute, as long as I contribute every week, that’s what I’m after.”