EFFERVESCENT utility Anthony Corrie reckons he can still run around like an 18-year-old but is banking on increased maturity to help him cement a spot in the Brisbane Lions side.

Corrie, who will turn 24 in June, says more than a year out with a knee reconstruction has assisted with his growing-up process.

After tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in round nine of 2006, Corrie entered 2007 on the rookie list before being promoted to play the final two games of the home-and-away campaign.

"Having the knee injury helped me a mature a fair bit – to get through the rehab you need to be disciplined," Corrie told lions.com.au.

"Like I said when I came back last year, I was pretty much playing for my career because I didn’t know if I was going to get another contract.

"If it hadn’t been for (strength and conditioning coach) Alex Moore being there and working with me on my rehab I guess I might just be playing club footy at the moment.

"With the year off I think I’ve learned a lot better how to look after myself off the field – eating the right foods, doing the right stuff and making the sacrifices you have to make to play in the AFL."

Lions fans are hoping 2008 will see Corrie continue to make the kind of impact he did late in 2007.

Called up off the rookie list for the round 21 clash with Adelaide at AAMI Stadium, Corrie had 23 possessions from defence, showing his injury had taken away none of his trademark dash.

"Being out for so long and having to watch was tough, especially when the team went the seven games in a row without winning last year – you watch from the stands and really want to help," he said.

"Coming back I didn’t expect to run around and get 23 touches but I’d had three games back in the reserves and I was hoping I’d go okay.

"I’d said to myself through my rehab that if got back I was going to have a real crack and that’s what I took into the games.

"If my knee was going to go again I at least wanted it go while I was having a crack."

Something else Corrie is hoping to have a crack at is an AFL final.

 In 2004, as a 20-year-old, he was an emergency for the grand final clash with Port Adelaide, but he is yet to actually experience September action.

"Everyone is setting themselves to hopefully play finals this year," Corrie said.

"In some ways it’s not something we can control, but in other ways we can control it – we just need to win 12 or more games.

"The vibe around the club is really good. Everyone is putting in and working their butts off and we want to be able to take some confidence into our first game in March over in WA against West Coast."