SMALL forward Robbie Nahas is confident he has overcome the shoulder injury that dogged him through much of the 2014 season and is determined to re-establish himself in the senior squad.

The 27-year-old featured in eight games in his first year at North before undergoing surgery to repair a dislocated right AC joint following the round 14 clash against Melbourne.

Nahas said complications from the operation extended his time on the sidelines, but his shoulder is now “coming along nicely”.

“I had an infection in there as well so I was in hospital for two weeks which didn’t really help the recovery process,” Nahas told NMFC.com.au this week.

“Then I had surgery again about four weeks before I played the (elimination) final for North Ballarat.

“It feels really good now so I’m just looking forward to after Christmas and a bit more contact (training).”

Despite being delisted by North at season’s end, Nahas was told he would be re-drafted by the club, so it came as no surprise when his name was called out in the rookie draft.

“Obviously with (there being) a certain amount of spots on the list, I knew I was probably going to be pushed onto the rookie list,” he said.

“And Brad (senior coach Brad Scott) told me he wanted me here, so I just had to wait until the rookie draft.

“It was a huge relief because you never really know how things work out.”

The 176cm speedster believes he was “solid” in patches this year, but gives a frank assessment of his debut season with the Roos.

“I think in every game, I got better and understood what my role was and what I needed to do to play,” he said.

“My goalkicking was awful – if I kicked a bit better, it could’ve been a completely different year.”

Nahas, who has signed a one-year deal with the club, acknowledges he has “a lot of hard work” to do to ensure 2015 is not his last year in the AFL system.

“Hopefully I can get 22 (games) out there and not get injured, but at the same time, I’ve got to be consistent and I’ve got to bring something to the team that no one else can,” he said, in reference to his role as a defensive forward.

“The (defensive) side of my game has to be better than anyone else’s and I know that.”