After Suns coach Guy McKenna sent him back to play two matches in the reserves to regain some fitness, Nathan Krakouer returned with a bang in the Queensland Clash.
The 25-year-old moved forward and kicked five goals, including a spectacular final-quarter effort that broke a deadlock.
Krakouer came from three deep to launch on to the shoulders of Lions defender Joel Patfull and pull down a screamer before going back to calmly slot the go-ahead goal.
It was a triumph for the former Port Adelaide player after McKenna dropped him to the twos following two disappointing displays in the seniors to open his season.
"It was the right call. I needed to build my fitness, it needed to be made," Krakouer said.
"I was letting the team down really without being able to run out a game, being subbed at half time. Being one of the uncontracted players that came in, you can't be going in and only playing half a game, so I went back and worked hard."
McKenna said Krakouer had responded exactly how he'd hoped.
"I don’t think [being left out of the young team] was an easy pill to swallow. It showed a lot about his character," he said.
"If we can get him using the ball and committing himself, he is going to be an exciting prospect.
"I think (assistant coach) Ken Hinkley has claimed him as a forward, (but) in our best side, Nathan Krakouer would be running out of half back."
But on Saturday night he was forced forward after a first-quarter hamstring injury to Dan Gorringe forced a reshuffle.
Krakouer had three goals by half time, and added to the highlights with a memorable final-quarter goal assist to Liam Patrick.
Krakouer trapped a rolling ball, beat one Lions defender, then threaded a handpass between two others before Patrick snapped an amazing goal off his left foot from the left forward pocket.
While stunned at Patrick's skill, Krakouer still cannot believe his own fourth quarter mark.
"I didn't think I could jump, hey," he said. "I saw Liam go for one, Jared Brennan, Sammy Day, Tommy Lynch, they were all going for them, so I thought I'd chuck myself at it and went for it, come down with it and cramped up as well, so yeah, it was all right."
