There is plenty of football life left in Gold Coast vice-captain Nathan Bock according to the club’s high performance manager Stephen Schwerdt.

“Comparing ‘Bocky’ from last year to now is like comparing chalk and cheese,” Schwerdt told The Gold Coast Bulletin.

Schwerdt would know Bock’s 31-year-old body better than any other personnel at the Gold Coast SUNS, with the former Adelaide Crow’s physical performance manager having worked closely with the season veteran during his stint at West Lakes. 

While his horrific leg break, which has limited his ability to play consistent football, has raised concerns from football analysts across the league, Schwerdt believes the enforced break could work towards prolonging his AFL career.

“He has had two years not doing a huge amount of work so he’s probably got a fair bit of life left in him, from my perspective,” he said. 

Nathan Bock made a promising return to football on Saturday afternoon, impressing in his first competitive match against the Brisbane Lions reserves at Metricon Stadium. 

It was a long time coming for Gold Coast’s experienced swingman, who has been managed by the club’s high performance staff in the opening rounds of the new season to give Bock the best opportunity to add to his career tally of 140 AFL games. 

Unfortunately it wasn’t the most pleasurable comeback for Bock, with the NEAFL SUNS running in to a Lions team desperate to atone for their disappointing round one performance against Sydney. 

The contest was heavily one-sided for much of the match, with the Lions dominating at the stoppages, and when the SUNS did find the football it was met with intensified ball pressure from their Queensland rival. 

Most notably was also Gold Coast’s lack of senior-listed bodies, with reserves coach Josh Fraser limited with experience at the key position posts. 

Thankfully, Bock provided the SUNS’ a strong lead-up target when the Sherrin did make its way into the side’s forward arc, the veteran Vice-Captain moving well in attack.

Although he was iced for the remainder of the match after the half-time break, Fraser says Bock showed promising signs in his two quarters of football, and was confident the seasoned campaigner would build on his performance in the coming weeks.

“It’s great news to have Nathan back playing football alongside the rest of his fellow teammates,” he said.

“There’s no doubt he will have gained confidence from playing two full quarters of football against seasoned AFL players from Brisbane.

“We expect he will now be able to build on his match fitness and conditioning going forward, and look forward to watching his progress.”