MATTHEW Scharenberg is set to play his first game of football in almost 18 months, but to the Collingwood defender Thursday night's clash against Essendon is just the beginning.
Scharenberg, 21, has managed four matches in three seasons at Collingwood, with two knee reconstructions and a long-term foot problem preventing him from kick-starting what promises to be a productive career.
But the resilient backman is determined to move forward and the JLT Community Series game against the Bombers is his chance to do that.
"I've definitely put in my biggest block of training ever so that's given me a lot of confidence," Scharenberg told AFL.com.au.
"I'm feeling pretty confident in my body. This is going to be a good step for me."
Joining Scharenberg in the team to face the Bombers is Jamie Elliott, who missed the entire 2016 season with a serious back injury, and Jackson Ramsay, also on the comeback trail from a torn ACL suffered early last season.
Scharenberg, pick No.6 in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft, has put together an almost complete pre-season and displayed his precocious talent in the Magpies' intraclub hit-out last week.
Scharenberg's long-held ability to read the play and take intercept marks in defence was a feature and a reason why he was rated so highly coming out of South Australia.
It is expected that Scharenberg's game time will be carefully managed against the Bombers; but he doesn't care. Being back out on the football field is enough.
"I haven't actually played any pre-season competition games since I've been at Collingwood," Scharenberg said.
"In a way, I do see this is the beginning.
"Spending a lot of time out of the game makes you more grateful for when your body does feel 100 per cent."
Scharenberg ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in a routine training drill in November 2015. He had previously torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in 2014, returning to play the last four games of 2015.
Scharenberg's misfortune was not just limited to long-term knee injuries.
Foot surgery, which involved having the sesamoid bone in both of his feet removed, just months after arriving at the Magpies, meant that the first half of 2014 was also a write-off.
The understated defender used his time on the sidelines last season to good use, gaining a different outlook on the game from the coaches' box.
"It was good for my development and good to see the game from a different perspective," Scharenberg said.
"What I'm hoping is that when I'm out there on the field, I can use some of that information when I'm out there so I can make better decisions."
Scharenberg's aim for 2017 is simple, and understandable.
"I want to have an injury-free year and play 22 games or as many senior games as I possibly can," Scharenberg said.
"It's pretty basic, but for me that would be awesome."
AFL and club access members will have free general admission entry to JLT Community Series matches in which their club is competing (subject to availability, upgrade fees may be applicable). Click here to learn more.
