Brendon Goddard has lost count of the number of well-wishers and inquisitive footy fans who have asked about his ACL since he ruptured it last year against the Sydney Swans.
The 23-year-old Saint made a swift recovery from the operation, returning less than a year after the knee reconstruction. Since his comeback, Goddard's personal form has been one of few constants in an otherwise turbulent season for the Saints.
"I feel really good and the body is good. I'm getting more of an opportunity in the midfield and I'm able to use some of the attributes that I have," he said.
"It's surprising the knee has been really good. It has held up really well. But there were times in the middle stages of the year, just after the break I wasn't feeling that good," he said.
Like most footballers, Goddard says he is keen to spend more time in the Saints' engine room, but he is happy to play wherever coach Ross Lyon sees fit.
"I've been willing to play the role down back which is what the team's needed over the last six or seven weeks due to a few injuries," he said.
"The team's been getting a few players back and blokes are getting fitter and are stringing a few games together, allowing myself and Grammy (Jason Gram) to push up in the midfield. I've always really had hopes to push in the midfield and play a permanent role in there."
Earlier in the season, Goddard was on record as saying his spring and aerial marking wasn't what it once was. But he now says he is close to being 100 per cent fit again.
"I copped a few knocks and (the knee) swelled up a few times unexpectedly. The last few weeks it's been really good and I've been able to take some contested marks. It is feeling a lot more natural but there is still a bit of improvement to go."
It has been an inconsistent second half of the season for the Saints. For every inspiring win (Hawthorn and North Melbourne), there has been a disappointing loss (West Coast or Collingwood).
Goddard says the playing group has been as frustrated as the supporters with its unpredictable form.
"For a patch there for five weeks we were really good. Things started to click and then in the last couple of weeks there were games we were expected to win that we haven't. We've put in some pretty inconsistent efforts and quarters. That pretty much sums it up."
Having played in three of the past four finals campaigns, Goddard believes the Saints' big-game experience will help them in the run home.
"It comes in handy for the next couple of weeks and playing a couple of teams that are fighting for a top four spot. We can draw confidence from the fact we've got a lot of players who have played finals."
