Defender Aaron Mullett says he is feeling a sense of “relief” ahead of his first competitive hit-out of the year following an extended spell on the sidelines.

RELATED: Mullett player profile

The 23-year-old, who had surgery in January to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, will line up in North Ballarat’s clash against Richmond at Punt Road Oval on Saturday.

Mullett said he is raring to take the field at VFL level after a lengthy rehabilitation program.

"(I’m) feeling pretty good, feeling fit and feeling pretty sharp," Mullett told NMFC.com.au on Friday.

"The shoulder feels good, I’ve got a lot of confidence in that … so I’ve got a spring in my step which I haven’t had for a while.

"It’s a relief, I just want to enjoy my footy again and I’m looking forward to getting out there and playing with the boys because rehab can get pretty boring at times."

Mullett took gradual steps in his comeback from pre-season surgery.

The 184cm backman began running laps in a sling in February, before increasing his output with long-distance work once the sling was removed.

"From there, we got into balls when I could move my shoulder so we got into some stationary skills," Mullett said.

"It progressed to slowly bumping on the tackle bags and then from there, it went pretty quickly."

When he regained full movement in his shoulder and was able to lift weights, Mullett was given the green light to take part in training with the main playing group.

The left-footer's rehab program culminated a fortnight ago when he was able to participate in full training alongside his teammates.

"I’m ahead one week from where I’m supposed to be. I was supposed to be (ready to play in) round seven – not just at AFL level – so hopefully I can play this week, play next week and then we can see how I go," he said.

Mullett would be forgiven for taking a conservative approach in his first competitive appearance since round 23 last year as he aims to build a regular match fitness routine.

But the 48-gamer, who is expected to play two quarters against Richmond's VFL side this weekend, said he is determined to stamp his influence immediately.

"Talking to the coaches and the fitness staff, I don’t want to see the game as a get through session and just tick it off," he said.

"I want to be able to start my campaign to try and get in the ones so I’ve got to do things that I need to do which is defend first, attack the game and tackle well."