Daniel Connors is feeling fit, strong, refreshed, and ready to make his return to the big time.

More than two months after a night-gone-wrong in Sydney, and with a club-imposed eight-week ban lifted, Connors says he is ready to repay Richmond.

It has been a harsh lesson to learn for the 21-year-old, but one which has served as the wake-up call he needed.

Read the full and exclusive Q&A with Daniel Connors tomorrow at richmondfc.com.au at 11am.

As well as being restricted from playing for Richmond since Round 3, Connors was also banned from Club training and activities for the first six weeks of his suspension.

“I think I needed to go away and see how lucky I am to be in the position I am in,” Connors said.

“It made me miss the Club, and it gave me the hunger to want to come back.

“I am fitter, stronger and refreshed, and now I will come back and not take anything for granted.

“Every day you know how good it is to be an AFL footballer, and it gives you that hunger to play footy and to get better and improve.”

Connors had cemented his spot in the Richmond team in the first few rounds of the 2010 season as a sure-footed rebounding defender, much to the delight of the Club’s coaching staff and Tiger supporters.

But an alcohol-infused night at the team hotel on April 10 following the Round 3 clash with the Swans at the SCG, threatened to derail his season and, potentially, his career.

When the Tigers’ leadership group handed down its sanctions, Connors immediately set about atoning for his mistakes, both on and off the field.

“I spoke to the boys when I came back to training and explained what I had been doing over the previous six weeks, and they welcomed me back with open arms,” he said.

“They have all been great and I have just slipped back in again as if I never left.  It’s a credit to the boys for being so welcoming.”

“I just hope I can come back in, play my part for the team and keep playing well.”

Read the full and exclusive Q&A with Daniel Connors tomorrow at richmondfc.com.au at 11am.