Ben Brown is eyeing a return in the second week of the NAB Challenge series, as he continues to make positive strides following knee surgery.
The North big man stepped back into match practice on Friday, finishing the session exhausted but unscathed.
“I was able to get back into the game-sense drills and they were pretty hectic with the hot conditions and the change of direction stuff, which I probably haven’t done at game intensity yet,” Brown told NMFC.com.au.
“It was good to pull up well from it, have another session today (Monday) and hopefully all things going well I’ll keep on pulling up well and going from here.”
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Brown has made the most of his time on the sidelines, working on his conditioning and strength.
Now he’s got his eye on a place in the North 22 come round one.
“It’s (the knee) feeling pretty much 100 per cent. Today was the best I’ve felt out there on the track. I’m sure it’s only going to get better," Brown said.
“I’ve actually had more of a pre-season this year than last year, so I suppose I’ll take it as a positive that I’m actually out on the track at this time and training.
“The fitness stuff will come and I just need to get in more sessions to get that back up to where it was last year, but I don’t think I’m far off."
The addition of Jarrad Waite and the emergence of Mason Wood in attack means the battle for spots is strong.
Brown said is keen to relish the competition.
“It’s only going to get harder with the amount of tall forwards that we’ve got in our side,” he said.
“I’m saying the cliché a bit, but just keep working hard and if I do that I’m confident in my body and the things that I can do and bring to the team.
“I know that if I commit myself 100 per cent I’ll be doing absolutely everything I can to get back into that side again.”
The number 50 rapt to be at Arden Street.
“I’ve been lucky enough to come in at an exciting time for all of us,” he said.
“Making a Preliminary Final was great for the club, but we know that we could have done better and that’s what we are aiming to do this year.”
