ANDREW Swallow spent months contemplating his AFL comeback, but it was the one thing he wanted to forget in the hours leading up to Saturday's clash against the Brisbane Lions.
It had been a long and frustrating road to recovery for the North Melbourne skipper since he ruptured an Achilles tendon in round 18 last year, and he was understandably nervous about how his repaired tendon would hold up.
But once the Sherrin was hurled into the Etihad Stadium turf, those creeping doubts were quickly forgotten.
"It was my body that I was a bit worried about. You just go through the mental battle trying to see whether you get through," Swallow told AFL.com.au.
"But once I got through to today I just tried to forget about it, keep myself busy and once we got to the bounce of the ball I was sweet."
His return match against the decimated Lions could hardly have gone any better.
The Kangaroos romped to an 87-point win, allowing Swallow to ease his way back.
He picked up three touches in the first term, including a hurried shot at goal that pulled to the near side with his first kick.
Swallow soon settled into the AFL's rhythm, gathering 10 second-quarter disposals as North consolidated its early blitzkrieg.
"I think the first quarter I was just finding my feet and getting used to it. Definitely after quarter-time I felt pretty good," he said.
"I was a bit rusty at stages, but overall I'm pretty happy just to get through."
North coach Brad Scott took a safety-first approach at the final change, substituting his skipper after 18 touches – nine contested – five clearances and two tackles.
But the immeasurable quality was his presence.
"He's huge for us, as 17 other club captains are," Scott said post-match.
"His organisation, his leadership, his attack on the ball, his tackling was just fantastic.
"We looked a much better unit with him out there. We were fortunate we were able to make the decision to sub him at three-quarter time, but we didn't need to and we certainly didn't plan to."
Swallow hopes to play four quarters next week against Geelong as North embarks on a crucial month.
The Roos are back in the top eight and now take on the Cats, West Coast, Richmond and Adelaide in their fight for a top-four berth.
"Geelong in Geelong and West Coast over in Perth, those are the big two we needed to set ourselves up for," Swallow said.
"We've got a big couple of weeks now."
