Koschitzke plays for the Scorpions

Emma Quayle
The Age
July 10, 2006

St Kilda's Justin Koschitzke back in the thick of it, with a custom-made helmet, in a comeback game with the Scorpions. Photo: Wayne Taylor

JUSTIN Koschitzke pushed aside some early-morning apprehension yesterday to find his first fresh match fitness and confidence in the VFL guernsey he expects to wear for the next few weeks.

Nine weeks after his skull was fractured, and his immediate and long-term future questioned, Koschitzke protected his head with a custom-made helmet and played in the ruck for the first half of the Casey Scorpions clash with the Northern Bullants.

Hesitant at first and keen to get his first contest done with, the star-crossed St Kilda player relaxed into the match and finished his half taking a few strong marks across half-back in the No. 73 jumper.

Koschitzke did not shy away from body contact, agitating Bullants player Ali Fahour by hurling him over the boundary line with a tough tackle.