Geelong big man Nathan Vardy at least a month from AFL Geelong big man Nathan Vardy in action against Frankston in the VFL. Picture: Campan Valeriu Source: Geelong Advertiser A RELIEVED Nathan Vardy says it will take a month of solid match practice in the VFL before he can even think about an AFL return. Vardy, whose season had been delayed by a hip-related groin problem, made a successful comeback in the Cats' 79-point win over Frankston yesterday. The 198cm tall was rested at three-quarter time after playing chiefly as a deep forward and kicked 1.2 -- all in the first term. He played no role in the ruck in a game Geelong won 19.17 (131) to 7.10 (52). While Vardy conceded his troublesome hip would never be perfect, he was confident he could finally have a clear run at re-establishing himself as an AFL player. "The last game I played was the elimination final last year and I sort of forgot how hard footy was -- after my first couple of efforts I was blowing up," Vardy said. Every now and then you think about the injury, it sneaks into your mind a little bit, so it takes a couple of games to get a lot of confidence back in your body. Vardy finished with five disposals, three marks and one tackle. "I only played 60 per cent today and I was knackered, so it's going to take a month to get that match fitness back," he said. VFL coach Matthew Knights said Vardy's comeback went to script. "Probably what pleased me the most was in the second half he took a contested mark on the wing, where he flew over a couple of guys and landed heavily (and got up)," he said.