DALE Thomas admits that at the end of 2013 he doubted whether his right ankle would ever come good, but the Carlton midfielder says he has been completely pain-free this pre-season.
Thomas first injured his ankle when still at Collingwood in round 15 2012. He carried the injury for the rest of that year, but had post-season surgery.
Things went from bad to worse for Thomas in his last season at Collingwood, 2013, when he managed just five senior games before two further bouts of ankle surgery ultimately ended his year.
Thomas subsequently crossed to the Blues as a free agent and managed 20 games last year despite an extremely limited pre-season.
The 2011 All Australian told reporters at the Blues training camp at Mt Buller on Tuesday that his ankle now felt "really good".
"I'm lucky enough to not have missed a (pre-season) session so far, touch wood," Thomas said.
"Hopefully with 20 games last year under my belt and a bit of consistency and continuity in training I can get out there and keep it going into the season, and, hopefully along with the boys, improve on what we were able to achieve last year.
"I don't feel (my ankle) so that's probably the best sign. I think also mentally I'm running and jumping with more confidence, not really thinking about it at all.
"It will [require] management, rehab and whatnot as long as I keep playing, but hopefully it holds up and it's happy days."
Thomas said his strong pre-season meant he was far fitter than at the same time last year.
The former Magpie spent some time in the Blues' forward line last season, but said he expected to start 2015 around the midfield.
Thomas was speaking after he and most of his Carlton teammates had completed a testing bike ride up Mt Buller Road. Chris Judd, Andrew Carrazzo and Marc Murphy were among a group that instead took part in a swim.
Half of the Blues' cycling group completed the first half of the 16km climb to Mt Buller's summit, the other half the remainder of the journey.
But Blues coach Mick Malthouse and most of his coaching staff rode the entire 16km.
Malthouse will overtake Collingwood legend Jock McHale as the longest-serving coach in VFL/AFL history in round five, when he coaches his 715th game.
Thomas played in a premiership under Malthouse at Collingwood in 2010 and said his long-time mentor remained as hungry for success as ever.
"You know what Mick's like, he makes it all about himself – records and what not," Thomas joked.
"No, he hates that sort of stuff, he coaches to try and get the best out of the group and he's no different, I guess, to where the players are at.
"He's setting lofty expectations of the group and we're trying to achieve them.
"So fingers crossed if we all continue this good vibe that we've got going, once the games start and the whips start cracking we can be thereabouts."
