West Coast defender Sam Butler says the worst thing about being injured is missing special nights like last Saturday when team-mate Mark LeCras booted 12 goals against the Bombers.
The 24-year-old has conceded that his 2010 campaign was over this week, after trying to come back from a broken ankle suffered in the Round 11 loss to Geelong at Subiaco.
It's just another setback in a horrendous four-year stretch for Butler that's seen him play just 26 games from a potential 80 since the 2006 premiership as he's struggled with a series of groin issues before hurting his ankle this year.
"(I'm) not looking too likely for this season," Butler said.
"So just concentrating on helping the boys where I can and obviously getting my body right."
"A lot of injuries in the past, I've had minor setbacks and it's held me back for a while and then I've tried to come back and it's disappointment after disappointment which is a lot harder to take mentally than what this one has been."
"(But) it's getting towards the second half of my career and it hurts a little bit more because there's only that many more opportunities I have probably to have good seasons."
Although Butler was still hurting, he retained a sense of humour when asked about LeCras' efforts on the weekend.
"He's already calling himself 'The Baker'," Butler said, even if a baker's dozen is traditionally 13.
"So he's getting a bit ahead of himself, but that's Lecca for you."
But despite sharing in the positive vibe that's suddenly surrounded the last-placed club after its big win on the weekend, Butler said it had been tinged with sadness a little as well.
"I play football for the camaraderie out on the field," Butler said.
"To be part of that game, like Saturday's game where everything's going for us and you just feel that connection with the boys and you're playing and having fun."
"Obviously you still feel part of it, I was pumped to see the boys this morning all happy faces, but part of you obviously wants to be out there otherwise why are you training every day."
Butler said that even memories of the 2006 premiership sometimes couldn't make up for missing out on being part of a special game like last week's.
"A lot of players kind of say that I've always got that (the 2006 premiership) to rest on. Even if I don't play again at least I've had a good career because I've had that but I look at it in a different way," he said.
"That sounds bad but one good year compared to 10 fun years, having fun with your mates, it's hard to pick between the two."
However Butler has a fair degree of support among the Eagles' football department, coach John Worsfold describing him as one of the backline's leaders last week.
"They've (the coaches) always spoken positively to me and about me which has been amazing," he said.
"Probably one of the biggest things of being injured so much has been not being able to repay that and that's probably one of the biggest things that hurts."