HEADING into this season, some observers might have thought Michael Osborne was set to spend 2008 on the fringes of Hawthorn's best 22.

The 25-year-old entered the season with 76 matches to his name, having debuted in 2001, but with the club's list on the rise, Osborne appeared – at least from the outside – as a depth player this year.

But after shining again for the third consecutive round following a three-goal, 16-disposal performance against North Melbourne at Telstra Dome on Saturday, Osborne appears secure in the Hawk's best line-up and is earning praise from his coach.

"He's had a really good start to the year. He's a very important player to us now, 'Ossie'," Alastair Clarkson said after his side's 16-point win over the Kangaroos.

"He's been a little bit injury prone over the time I've been at the footy club.

"He's had a couple of shoulder problems and a couple of problems with ankles and feet and last year he had a internal bleed that we couldn't locate for a fair while, so he missed a six- to eight-week patch last year.

"He's another guy who has been in our system for six to eight years, so he's got a strong body, he's quick and he's got great endurance and he's tough at the footy and he can kick left and right foot, so we're really pleased with the way he's started the year."

The hard-at-it small man is having an impressive run at the moment, particularly as a crumbing forward, which is a pleasant change for the Queenslander, who has battled his fair share of injuries in recent years.

"I've been hampered for the last couple of years with a few unfortunate injuries, but now that I've had a pre-season under my belt and I've trained really well and I'm glad that I've been able to take them into the games and I've worked really hard," Osborne said.

Osborne spoke further about the nasty internal bleeding he suffered last year, which sidelined him for six rounds. 

"I actually ran into 'Hodgey' [Luke Hodge] and he's a fair bit bigger than me, so I came off second best. It wasn't until a couple of weeks later when there was a bit more wear and tear, more knocks and more running [that it got worse]," Osborne told hawthornfc.com.au.

"The incident actually occurred in a marking contest when I landed against Collingwood at Telstra Dome.

"I just landed a bit awkwardly and I didn't feel right after that, so it was a couple of weeks after the incident that I really felt it.

"I had a tear in some internal tissue from a big knock and once it happened, it filled up with blood and I was incapacitated there for a while and I spent a few days in hospital and a few days on the couch.

"I basically lost all of my fitness and I had to train again for another three or four weeks before I could get back into it, so it was a big blow and an unexpected injury and you don't hear too many like that.

"Tom Lonergan was unfortunate and he spent a fair bit of time out, so I worked hard and tried to get back and it's been good being back playing again."

Despite the severity of the injury, Osborne was philosophical about the setback.

"All injuries are a bit of a blow. You go out there and you never know what will happen – blokes tear muscles, do knees and it's part of the game. There are plenty of procedures to get you rehabilitated and get back into it," Osborne said.

"You've got to stay focused and have faith in the support staff around you and rely on them and do your own hard work to get back out on the track."