Taylor Garner will be eased back in to action via the VFL on Saturday, with the dynamic forward set to play around a half against Frankston.
It will be the number 27's first appearance of 2018, having recovered from a groin injury.
Senior Assistant Coach Gavin Brown underlined the importance of managing Garner's workload, with the temptation to rush him back far outweighed by the need to get the body right for regular AFL football.
“Starting this weekend, it’s about making sure we don’t overload him (Garner); it’s his first game back," Brown told North Media.
"It’s critical to manage his return.
“In the last two or three years he’s been in-and-out, and more out than in. It’s absolutely imperative that we manage his transition back this weekend and even further going forward. He’s such a critical player for us. He’s unique, we haven’t got anyone like him.”
Garner’s inclusion is a welcome boost to a young North team, with his AFL experience sure to prove beneficial to a developing group.
“He’s a fantastic example for the younger players,” Brown said.
“He’s got a unique set of elite AFL skills, he’s an incredible mark in the air, he’s a really powerful guy and he’s extremely aggressive. He’s got a lot of tricks and attributes.
“They’re the things we talk about and he’s one we’re really keen to get going again, for sure.”
While Garner's competitive instinct will no doubt see him attack his return with vigour, Brown stressed the importance of not going too hard, too early.
“We’ll get a specific amount of game time out of him or he’ll have GPS numbers that he’s allowed to hit. I would imagine that half a game would see him out," he added.
“If he gets through that fine, then it’s about managing him again during the week on the track, slowly building him up and certainly not rushing it, that’s for sure. It’s imperative we get it right.”
Fans are invited to attend Saturday’s VFL match against the Frankston Dolphins at Avalon Airport Oval, with the first bounce at 2.00pm. Entry to home games is free for NMFC members.
