In a season that was largely interrupted by injury, Gary Rohan gave an inspired cameo towards the end of the season.

Rohan missed 15 consecutive games between round four and his return to the side as the substitute against St Kilda in round 22. As soon as he removed the green vest against the Saints at ANZ Stadium, Rohan made an immediate impact that lasted until the team was bundled out of the finals by Hawthorn.

Whether it was miraculous goals against Geelong or Brisbane, or telling marks against St Kilda or Hawthorn, Rohan gave everyone a brief taste of his ability to lift the team.

Gaz spoke to sydneyswans.com.au about the backend of 2011 and where he wants to improve in 2012.

How was your year?

It was pretty frustrating, missing a couple of months with injury but when I came back I was pretty happy.  I was happy with the way I came back and had an impact in the senior team, but unfortunately in the last game of the year I didn’t do much. I just couldn’t get into the game.

First I hurt my knee and then when I did my hamstring, that was really shattering. That really hit me.

What have you learned about yourself this year?

I’ve learned that I can fight back for my spot in the team. I was pretty surprised with myself, how I pushed through with my running to get into shape to get back and play. It was some of the hardest work I’ve had to do, it was like a pre-season all over again. But I had the boys telling me that they wanted me back so to keep going. When I was running I always had that in the back of my mind.

Who helped you most?

Shawy, Hanners, Teddy and Tadhg were great. Those four blokes were always on my back telling me to keep going on. When I was buggered or struggling to run I always had that in the back of my mind, to keep going and motor through.

Your first game back in round 22 must have been a big moment for you?

Yeah I was sub against the Saints. I was very pleased.I had just tried to play as well I could in reserves before that, play at AFL standard and I did and I got the call up. So against the Saints I just tried to come on and have an impact like I did against West Coast over at Subiaco earlier in the year. And then after the Saints game we went to Geelong and I was pretty happy with that game.

What about your running goal against Geelong, on the ground you played on as a junior, with your family watching on?

That was probably the best goal I’ve ever kicked! And then the next week I kicked three goals against Brisbane. I started the season in the backline and ended it in the forward line, but I don’t mind where I play.

Which of your team-mates really impressed you?

Alex Johnson in his first year here, was very good. For a first year player to play that many games and hold his spot in the team was good and he was stiff not to get a Rising Star nomination. That’s why I signed a new contract, with AJ and  Hanners and Luke Parker and Jed Lamb and Sam Reid coming through, it’s just going to be so good. It is going to be an exciting couple of years so I’m sticking around.

What will you work on during the pre-season?

Fitness is the big one. I came back from the break last year terrible. I thought I was pretty good but I was way behind the eight ball and struggled all pre-season trying to get back up to where the main group was. I had only done a half pre-season the year before, when I first got drafted and came here, so it was my first full pre-season and I thought I was working hard but when I got back here from my break, I realised I wasn’t right and I have to be way better than this. I know what to expect this year.

I’m going back home to Cobden and there’s a bloke there called Marty McDonald who is a marathon runner, he used to be my teacher and my athletics coach and I’ll run with him and his brother and they’ll push me along. I’m looking forward to this pre-season, I may be the only person who ever said that but I am. I want to be on the wing next year.