Paul Ahern has plenty driving him through a second bout of year-long knee rehabilitation.

Unlikely to play any football in 2017, the No.7 selection in the 2014 Draft is looking much further ahead and knows there's an opportunity waiting following discussions with North coach Brad Scott.

“Brad was telling me that they had full confidence in me, that when I do get my knee right that there is a spot for me in this team,” Ahern told NMFC.com.au.

“That’s made my confidence levels go really high and that’s what I’ll be working for while I do my rehab.

“Brad’s a really good coach and I feel comfortable being around him.”

Despite his latest setback, Ahern was sought after by several clubs but chose the Kangaroos as his preferred home.

“I think making the move back to Melbourne is going to help me get over everything,” Ahern explained.

“Having the support around me from home, with friends and family that live really close to North Melbourne, it’ll just make 2017 a lot easier while doing my rehab.”

Ahern’s two seasons at the Giants were eventful, starting right after his arrival.

He was one of three Giants selected inside the top 10, adding to the five other top-10 picks from the previous two seasons.

“Obviously the GWS environment is a lot different to the other clubs, with a lot of young talent.

“You’ve really got to earn your stripes, in the pre-season.

“For me, I found that I had to work hard and prove that I can play at the senior level, so that’s what I tried to do in my first year."

Although Ahern wasn’t able to make his debut during 2015, he still impressed at NEAFL level.

Playing largely through the midfield, he averaged more than 23 disposals a game.

“My goals in the first year were to really learn the style of senior footy at the top level and trying to build my body up in the first year, because I was a small frame when I first got drafted.

“Then also getting used to the bigger bodies in the NEAFL first before I could move up to the senior games was the aim.”

It all appeared to be progressing smoothly but disaster struck on the eve of the 2016 season.

“It was in February so I’d done a whole pre-season, going into my second year,” Ahern explained.

“I was just running with the ball and we were doing a match simulation drill. As I was planting my right leg, I got tackled from behind.

“The knee got caught in an awkward position and I felt it pop straight away.

“Because I hadn’t done anything before, I didn’t know what to expect. When I got the scans, and they came back, I was pretty devastated.”

The diagnosis was a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, ruling Ahern out for the season.

In the multiple months of lonely rehab that followed, the youngster had to watch on as his teammates rocketed into premiership contention.

Away from the bright lights, Ahern edged closer to full fitness as the season wound down.

In late August, he re-joined main training. Just when it appeared as though he had made it back; déjà vu.

“I was in an 11 v 11 drill and I went to push off my right foot trying to get in the way of my opponent.

“As I was twisting, I felt it pop again. It was pretty unfortunate; I think it was just due to being pretty weak at that stage.

“The second time it was more deflating, because I knew straight away what it was.

“Knowing that I’d done seven months of hard rehab, and then to realise I’d have to do it all again, was devastating.”

Faced with another long period of time on the sidelines, starting from scratch, Ahern decided the time was right for a change of setting.

“I was discussing a bit with my manager and going over a few things.

“The best move for me was to come back home, really focus on my knee and get that right before anything.”

Originally from the local area – playing his junior football in Keilor – Ahern will be able to settle in quickly.

There’s also the added benefit of knowing a couple of Roos from his time in the Vic Metro squad in 2014, playing with Ed Vickers-Willis and Daniel Nielson.

“Ed gave me a text yesterday congratulating me on coming to North and it’ll be good to meet everyone.

“There’s also a lot more senior players. The Giants are a pretty young club, so I think being around people like that will be really good for me ... it’s really exciting."