LIGAMENT damage to his left knee in 2013. More surgery the following year, this time after a stress fracture in the foot attached to the same luckless leg.
For a third time, St Kilda's Sam Gilbert went under the knife, at the end of that season. His troublesome foot seemed determined to halt his career.
An adductor issue was minor compared to what he had been through, but it was yet another obstacle in Gilbert's path.
"It can be a bit frustrating when you can't get your body right," he said.
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Gilbert knows frustration. The long-time defender played in three Grand Finals but the Saints won no flags in that era to show for it.
Personal setbacks followed. He managed only 26 games over a three-year period. However, he had faith he could return to the elite level.
"I always believed that I could get back and play again. It's not always your choice, but I always had belief in my body that I could get back."
Despite the 29-year-old's recent rocky journey, St Kilda was determined to keep him.
For good reason too. As Gilbert pointed out, his troubles didn't necessarily indicate any physical frailties.
"A lot of my injuries were impact injuries. They're things that just need to heal and then get going again. I've got a lot of confidence in my body," he said
Players can struggle when on the sidelines, unable to fulfill their core on-field duties.
Gilbert instead displayed what he could offer off-field. He attended Sandringham's VFL games when he could, to assist coach Paul Hudson develop the next batch of Saints backmen.
It was those sorts of deeds that contributed to him winning the best clubman award in 2014.
His character around the club in that time didn't go unnoticed.
"Gilbo is just a very, very impressive person," said coach Alan Richardson.
"If there's a young bloke who's struggling, he … goes and has a coffee and a chat.
"He's got real leadership. While he's not in our leadership group, our young blokes certainly love what he does."
Sam Gilbert after injuring his ankle against Richmond in 2014. Picture: AFL Media 
Keeping spirits high in a morale-sapping time typically requires help and for Gilbert, having Craig Levin as a mentor was beneficial.
"He just helped me understand life after footy. He's always there to chat," he said.
Signing a contract until the end of 2017 was a show of faith by St Kilda, and the early indications show Gilbert is delivering.
Completing a full pre-season for the first time in four years certainly helps.
He is Richardson's man for any situation; serving in the part of the ground he is most required. Gilbert is relishing being the coach's problem-solver.
"I like playing multiple roles. I know a lot of players like to get settled in one position, but I don't mind," he said.
Being able to roam where the contest demands holds appeal for the utility.
"I do like the challenge of playing multiple roles, but also the freedom of being able to be flipped from say midfield to back, or forward, just to help me get my game going if it's not going as well as I'd like," Gilbert said.
"Or vice versa. If I'm going really well, I can push into another position and help out more where possible."
Gilbert doesn't know when his career will end but is determined to land a premiership, to give the 1966 cup a companion.
First things first though.
"Finals atmosphere is unbelievable, so that's one of my main goals."
