'Blessing' and 'knee injury' rarely pair up, but for talented North Melbourne midfielder Daniel Wells, two weeks on the sidelines mid-year was just what he needed.
Straining his knee in the win over the Western Bulldogs in round nine, Wells sat out the losses to the Brisbane Lions and Geelong and, in his return, has produced some of his best football since his 2003 debut.
"[I was] definitely frustrated [with my form]," he said from Arden Street on Tuesday, his voice lowered from the range of teammates and officials.
"The body was up and going … and I could feel just before the knee injury that it was sort of coming – game-breaking and consistency. After the knee injury I thought it might have dropped off.
"[But] it's been consistent, probably the best I've played [since I've been here]. Coming back and realising my spot in the team and the way the season's going and the way my own form [had been], I needed that consistency."
Five matches into his return, and averaging 25 touches a game, Wells has been central to the recent victories over Hawthorn, Port Adelaide and Collingwood as his side works to secure a place in the top eight.
Friday night's effort against the Magpies was the most emphatic, with Wells and ruckman Drew Petrie dominant as a 13-point deficit became an 18-point win.
Instructed to play loose across half-back after half time, Wells' run, carry and pinpoint kicking created many opportunities for his teammates on the counter-attack.
"It worked out well," he said. "I had a bit of an influence in the third quarter along with Drew (Petrie) and also Daniel Harris, [who] I thought was really important.
"I just got a look and had a bit of time to use the ball. I was a fair bit surprised [to get as much space as I did], but lucky I could make the most of it.
"I think they also had a spare man in their defence so I had to have an influence on the game for that to work, and my teammates got me into the play as well."
Wells missed seven games with knee complaints in 2007, but returned in time for the club's three finals.
While the Roos played off in a prelim, having a stronger role in the build-up encourages Wells to feel this year, personally, will turn out better than last.
"So far it is [better], because the last five or six weeks have been very consistent and I don't think I've had that in my career," he said. "I know I haven't.
"I'm happy with the way it's been going but there's still a lot more improvement. I'm just looking forward to training well every week and having another crack."
With 116 games to his name, the 23-year-old also mentors emerging indigenous forwards Matt Campbell and Lindsay Thomas, who are enjoying their own productive seasons.
And no longer does Wells feel the scrutiny that accompanies a high draft pick – in and outside the club.
"I probably would have felt it a couple of years ago, being pretty young," he noted. "I've been in the system a while now and you've got to play your role within the team to get a win. That's the most important thing.
"Someone's going to get a look pretty much every week and hopefully Brent Harvey, because he uses the ball so well, I can play second man [to him]."
Importantly, Wells hopes to have an impact for some time yet with a new commitment to North Melbourne just around the corner.
"[I want to be at North] as far as I can see," he said.
"We're almost starting the negotiations and they're not even that really, just a bit of fine-tuning.
"I wouldn't have thought it would be too long before it's sorted out."
