AS LUKE Beveridge dueled with reporters over team selection ahead of the round eight clash with West Coast, Jack Redpath was unaware he was part of a covert operation. 

Melbourne Airport was the scene, and Redpath was waiting to board a plane to Perth for his first AFL game in nine months after recovering from a third knee reconstruction.

Beveridge, determined not to let the Eagles get an early read on his side's line-up, refused to reveal that the hulking forward would be making a surprise return.  

"I didn't know at all," Redpath told AFL.com.au. 

"I live in Footscray, and Jason Johannisen and I like to get to the airport early and have a coffee.

"'JJ' picked me up at 8am, so there was nothing (secretive) going on that I knew about. 

"He's a very smart man 'Bevo', and he knows what he's doing, so I just got told I was playing (on the Tuesday) and didn't worry about too much else." 

Redpath was also "surprised" his diligent rehabilitation would be rewarded with a start against the Eagles, with the 26-year-old playing just one VFL game after a very cautious recovery program. 

But his shock inclusion reaped immediate dividends, with the popular Bulldog mobbed by teammates after kicking the first goal of the game. 

In the end his three-goal performance, albeit in a losing cause, vindicated the belief he could make it back from another arduous period on the sidelines. 

"As forward, I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to go into the game and kick a few goals," Redpath said. 

"At times you do struggle when you've just had surgery and been on crutches for two weeks, and you begin to think 'am I able to do this again?' 

"But I trained my arse off for nine months and right now I'm in a pretty good position to play (in the seniors for the) rest of the year."  

Much of his time in the rehab group was spent with Mitch Wallis, as the midfielder suffered a badly broken leg on the same night last July that Redpath's knee gave way. 

The pair inspirede each other on a regular basis to the point where Wallis returned to the VFL just one week before Redpath did. 

"I feel bad for saying this, but I felt a little bit lucky that I did my knee the same night Mitch got injured, because it took the attention away from me, which is always good," Redpath said. 

"What happened to Mitch was horrific, but the way he's come back has been amazing." 

The next challenge for Redpath is to retain his place in a forward line that has plenty of competition for spots. 

Fellow key forward and big-name recruit Travis Cloke could be passed fit for Friday night's clash with Geelong after missing several weeks with broken ribs, while premiership big men Tom Boyd and Jordan Roughead can also play in attack in conjunction with their customary ruck roles.

"It's always good when you've got a bit of competition, because each week you have to be on and you can't afford to have a bad game," Redpath said.

"I've always played well when someone is pushing for my spot, and if I'm pushing for someone else's spot, I'm going to give it everything I've got. 

"I'd love to play with Trav, because I've never played with another big forward. 

"He might be able to take the best defender, and I can kick a few more goals." 

Despite being in his sixth season at Whitten Oval, the former rookie has never signed a contract longer than 12 months, but he feels that could be about to change.

Because as he prepares to return to the ground he debuted at back in 2014, the out-of-contract Bulldog will walk into Simonds Stadium armed with an unshakable belief he belongs at the highest level.

The qualified carpenter is keen to build on his 26 games in the red, white and blue, before a likely return to his hometown of Kyneton to finish off his career where it started. 

"I've signed six straight one-year deals, so why not make it seven?" Redpath joked. 

"I think I've proved over the last two weeks I can definitely still play and that I am only going to get better. 

"It's always nice to head home, but hopefully I've got a few years to go at the Dogs, and then maybe when I'm 35 I'll head back there to play."