SYDNEY star Dan Hannebery is confident his injury worries are behind him and he can regain his status as an elite midfielder, starting with his 200th game against Carlton on Friday night.
Hannebery will reach his double century in just his 10th season in the League, after being taken with pick 30 at the 2008 NAB AFL Draft by the Swans when he was still in high school.
The 27-year-old has been remarkably consistent as part of Sydney's powerful midfield, but his past 18 months have been hampered by osteitis pubis, calf and groin injuries.
After missing a fair chunk of the pre-season with a torn calf and two more games with a groin strain, the three-time All Australian has been solid in the past two matches, and said he'll only get better with more training under his belt.
"Touch wood I'm feeling pretty good, but last time I said that I pinged a groin," he said with a laugh.
"My body is starting to get used to the load now and my training has been pretty strong, so at this stage I'm feeling as good as I have in a long time.
"I'm hoping to keep it that way because things can change really quickly in this game."
Hannebery came to the Swans as a teenager and said he learned plenty from the likes of Jude Bolton, Ryan O'Keefe, Jared Crouch and Luke Ablett. But now a veteran himself, he's eager to provide as much leadership as he can to his younger teammates.
Isaac Heeney, Zak Jones, George Hewett and Oliver Florent are part of Sydney's new breed of onballers and are taking on more responsibility with every game they play.
"They learn pretty fast these days, and even Ollie Florent was demanding guys stand in certain spots the other week," Hannebery said.
"That’s a credit to the recruiting staff, but also the coaches and how quickly they're able to develop these kids.
"You certainly do try and lead them out on the ground but at times they've been the ones who have been directing the senior guys."
In a strange quirk, Hannebery made his debut against the Blues in 2009, played his 50th game against Brisbane three seasons later, before he reached triple figures against Carlton in 2013.
His 150th appearance was against the Lions in 2016, and he'll play game 200 when he meets Carlton at the SCG in what he hopes will be the Swans' fourth win in a row.
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