After missing the entirety of the 2017 season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, Damon Folkes ran out for the Baggies for the first time in more than 12 months against Pimpinio last weekend.

Not only was it Folkes’ first game back after his knee injury, but it was also his 100th match for the Swifts.

“Being able to run back out with the boys and for the club I have played for since my junior days for the 100th time was something special,” he said.

“It means a lot for me to be able to stay loyal to the club I love.”

The 24-year-old injured his knee in round 15, 2016, missing out on the Swifts’ big climb up the ladder and return to finals action last season.

He said it was difficult to watch on and not be a part of the team’s success.

“It was very tough especially when they were starting to win games and look good towards the finals,” he said.

“It was also tough knowing I was stuck on 99 games.

“Obviously it was great to see them succeed but I just wanted to be a part of it and it was frustrating knowing I couldn’t.

“I wanted to keep involved in the club so I took up coaching the under-14s team, which I am doing again this season. That helped me keep in touch with the game and helped me mentally as well.”

Folkes was named as one of the Swifts’ best on ground in his return match.

Swifts senior coach Scott Carey said having the utility back makes the team even stronger.

“He is only young and there is lots of improvement to come,” Carey said. 

“It is a scary prospect for other teams knowing he can only get better.

“He is one of the most dangerous centre half-forwards in the league but he can also give us great drive off half-back. Blokes with his size and his attributes are hard to come by.”

Carey praised Folkes’ attitude to the club, even though he spent a long time out of the senior side.

“While the team improved when he was away, he stayed around the boys, was at training a lot and has been a big part even when he hasn’t been playing,” he said. 

“Damon is a clubman through and through and for him to get the recognition with 100 games at home is great.”

Now with his 100th match and his return from injury out of the way, Folkes said he was focused on taking the Baggies deeper into September this season.

“We have a good chance to finish in the top three,” he said.

“Being back playing is great and the knee is feeling pretty good at the moment.”