While the focus was on the NAB Cup semi-final against Geelong last Saturday night, Heath Scotland and Andrew Walker quietly returned to football the previous afternoon at Visy Park. Both played in a Northern Bullants practice match against Box Hill Hawks on Friday afternoon in what was their first official match of the 2009 season.

Importantly both players came through the game well and are ready to play more minutes in the coming weeks after playing around half the game time against Box Hill.

Walker injured his shoulder earlier in the pre-season and while it has kept him out of playing he has been able to maintain his fitness and is really only missing match touch. He will travel to Bunbury and is expected to play against Fremantle and it is hoped he will also play for the Bullants again on the final weekend before the season commences and is a chance to line up against Richmond in round one.

Scotland has had groin and hip surgery since the end of last season and he is still improving his fitness as well as now gaining some match conditioning and touch. He will play with the Bullants again this weekend at Visy Park on Saturday and is expected to also play for the Bullants the following weekend as he works his way back to full fitness for the 2009 season.

It was a quiet return for Walker and Scotland but an important one for the Carlton in 2009.