GIANTS defender Zac Williams is within reach of a long-awaited return to the field and wants to be part of a third-straight finals campaign.
Williams, who finished sixth in the best and fairest at the GIANTS last year and was a star across half-back, ruptured his Achilles tendon at training in
If he'd gone down a month later, his year would have been over.
But thanks to a meticulously-planned (and setback-free) rehabilitation, the 23-year-old is poised to resume full training and could play in the NEAFL in the next month.
The loss of Williams was the first of another horror year on the injury front at the club, and while Lachie Whitfield has been a revelation in his absence, there's little doubt the GIANTShave missed his dash from
Even if he does get back, some doubt would have to remain on his ability to produce his best footy, but Williams defiantly told AFL.com.au he has no doubt he can play some quality senior footy this year.
"Yeah, 100
"I'm not worried about not playing at a high level because I get to play in the NEAFL to test it and get my form back.
"The coaches aren't going to just throw me back in after missing six months, so I have to prove I can play at AFL level again.
"I just need to get back into full training and, once I'm feeling good and I'm back amongst the boys, I think it'll come naturally.
"It's just ticked over six months since my surgery and I've been running for the past two, so I'm trying to get the load back into my legs.
"At the moment, I'm going off how I'm feeling, and
"I haven't felt any pain for about three months."
Williams has steadily increased the intensity of his training in recent weeks and is pushing hard to give coach Leon Cameron some thinking to do, but he's also intelligent enough to
The GIANTS' medical team will ultimately make the call on his return to full training and the field, but Williams has just as much say in the process.
"I have to be honest, I can't lie to them about getting sore or anything like that, just so I can get back on the field," he said.
"Obviously I've been a part of the last two finals series and I don't want to miss out on that this year, but I'm also thinking long-term as well.
"I don't want to push myself and suffer another injury, and miss another pre-season, so I'm making sure I'm doing everything I can, but also being safe with it at the same time."
During his time on the sidelines, Williams has been doing some coaching with the GIANTS' NEAFL side to keep him occupied, but he's excited about what lies ahead, his spirits far different to what they were like in January.
"When I did it I was shattered and pretty down in the dumps, I hated everything," he said.
"I'd never had a serious injury or even surgery, so it was a pretty tough time.
"But the physios assured me that if I did everything right with my rehab, I could get back by the end of the year.
"We did a lot of research on Achilles injuries from other sports, and players that have come back in that 6-9 month period.
"The fact that I could be back playing this year is a credit to our medical staff and the way we've gone about my rehab."
