Ben Jacobs has made a successful return from injury, completing a full game in the development league for Werribee on Sunday.
It came a year to the day from his last full game, all the way back in Round 8 of 2016 against Essendon.
“I enjoyed being out there and playing normal football for once instead of just running laps,” Jacobs told NMFC.com.au.
“I loved it.”
The aim for Jacobs in his comeback was a simple one.
“It was just to get out there and enjoy playing footy again,” the 25-year-old said.
“I ran through the midfield, just trying to get that run in the legs and get some match fitness.
“We got what we wanted out of it.”
The general aches and pains after a match were a welcome feeling for Jacobs, something he hasn’t experienced in a while.
“I’m very sore, (but) a good sore though. It’s a soreness I haven’t felt in a while.
“The body’s pulled up well in the right areas but I’m just generally sore which is good.”
Jacobs almost made his comeback a couple of months ago, but an innocuous training session incident delayed his return.
“Unfortunately broke it out here (Arden Street) at training a week before I was due to play.
“I did a fair bit of work leading up before I broke it, so it wasn’t like the first time (in 2016) where I had that long period out of the game.
“I was able to pick up where I left off so it hasn’t been too bad on the road to recovery.
“I’ve obviously been doing a lot of running and conditioning, more than I’ve done previously because the foot’s been able to take it now.
“I think that’s all behind me.”