Pratt, 25, had major post-season surgery on his right shoulder after tearing most of the cartilage from the socket and until last Thursday’s scratch match was yet to even tackle a teammate.
Unlike Adam Simpson and Ed Lower, who also required significant shoulder operations, Pratt was held back by his coaches – wary of his history of injuries and not prepared to risk him in a 20-minute hit-out last month.
“I think they were a little bit hesitant but I had to get out there sooner or later because I wouldn't have been able to play against Carlton next week,” he said.
“[Now] if I don't get picked it would be because of form.”
Wednesday’s game was another step up in the Roos’ preparations; four quarters of 17-and-a-half minutes plus time-on consistent with the pre-season competition.
Last week was a physical contest played over three periods and Pratt believes the exposure after months of rehab and conditioning has boosted his confidence.
“It was pretty much going in a bit blind with how things would go with the shoulder,” he said. “But I got through that.
“I felt really confident. It was good just to get out and have a hit-out after all the extra sessions you have to do just to get over surgery.”
Pratt pulled up sore last week and again after training on Monday – expected with the re-introduction to movement and impact – but felt little effect after Wednesday’s game.
Progress in the last few days has encouraged a self-assessment of 95 per cent, with an understanding the balance will only be found in the rigours of match situations.
“I had a few one-on-ones with Corey Jones in marking contests [on Wednesday] and I was able to hold him out,” Pratt said. “I'm not far off.
“You can't train yourself really to make up that little bit more ground in the gym or anything like that. It's got to be full-on stuff either at training doing one-on-ones or in a game.
“It's moving through very quick and it was the same with Simmo (Simpson) and Ed (Lower). Once they started doing contact, it was just getting that confidence back. And once you get through the initial soreness, it seems to be alright.”
Pratt’s road has been the longest of the trio, injuring the shoulder against Geelong in round 11 and enduring its occasional semi-dislocation throughout the remaining 13 games of the season.
Conceding that he’s “not the world's best pre-season trainer”, a recovering Pratt was motivated by the lure of practice matches rather than track performances.
He now aims to emulate an injury-free 2007 season that saw him play all 25 games and finish third in the Syd Barker Medal count.
“It's always on your mind (carrying an injury during the season) but it's good to be playing football when you're 100 per cent,” he said. “In 2007, I didn't have any injuries and that was probably my best year.
“Last year I played most of the year with the shoulder and a couple of other little things.
“It's good to be able to go into the season with a nice stable shoulder and just be able to compete hard all the time.”
North meets Carlton at Telstra Dome on Friday, February 20.
