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

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

“Being able to run back out with the boys and for the club I have played for since my junior days for the 100^th 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 Swifts’ big climb up the ladder and back to the finals 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. It was also tough knowing I was stuck on 99 games too,” he said.

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“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 year.

That helped me keep in touch with the game and helped me mentally as well.”

Folkes was named as one of 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. It is a scary prospect for other teams knowing he can only get better,” he said.

“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.”

Now with his 100^th match and his return from injury out of the way, Folkes is focused on taking the Baggies deeper into September in 2018.

“We have a good chance to finish in the top three and with the Giants gone I think it is anyone’s for the taking.”