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Lachlan Hansen is confident he can bounce back from a challenging 2015 campaign with a full pre-season under his belt.

Surgery on both hips following the 2014 season meant the key-defender didn’t play at AFL level until round six, but he went on to have a vital role in the Roos’ finals tilt.

“The base you get when you do pre-season, running into games you feel a lot better,” Hansen told NMFC.com.au.

“But last year just coming straight in I took a while to find my feet and was a little scrappy throughout the year. It was a very slow start for me.”

Hansen and the senior group returned to training last Tuesday, and the 27-year-old hasn’t put a foot wrong.

“I know when I have a full pre-season I’m going to get the best out of myself, so this year I’m hoping to get through every session and take it into round one, and then improve from there.”

Backing up comments from Drew Petrie earlier in the week, Hansen said the club’s more experienced players still have room to get better.

The pain of two preliminary final defeats is all the motivation needed to find another level.

“Even Boomer (Brent Harvey) who is 45 is still trying to improve,” Hansen joked.

“You always come out at training sessions and have your one or things you want to work on and improve every session.

“Hopefully we’ll take the next step and take it into the season proper.”

Hansen and his teammates will face a big test on Friday as they line up for their first time trial.