Paul Ahern is excited by the prospect of potentially making his AFL debut in 2018, after overcoming two serious ACL injuries.

Now entering his second year at Arden St. after being traded from the Giants in 2016, Ahern is hoping to repay the faith shown by North.

“I want to try and show people, no matter how big the setback, you can always get back and play some really good footy,” Ahern told The Herald Sun.

“If they have a setback like a knee or an ankle it’s not the end of the world — if you work really hard in rehab you can really go places.”

The midfielder didn’t play at any level last season, with the club allowing him to focus on his rehabilitation.

“It didn’t really bother me at all, I just really wanted to get into my rehab,” Ahern said.

“It was a good thing, I didn’t have to focus on trying to get back and playing games.

“I could take my time and really focus on ... working hard in the gym and fixing areas that needed improving strength wise.”

Ahern, 21, is one of an emerging group of youngsters at North.

While some critics have been quick to write off one of the more inexperienced squads in the league, that talk doesn’t faze those internally.  

“The word ‘rebuild’ hasn’t been used around here,” Ahern said.

“We (want to have) a really good season, obviously, we’d love to be there in September, but at the moment it’s getting everyone ready for Round 1.

“This year has been one of the most bonded teams I’ve been around, I think everyone enjoys coming to the club and working hard together. 

“I think if we can get a few wins it’s going to be huge for us.”

Ahern has his eyes set on a Round 1 debut, and will look to use AFLX and the JLT Community Series as a audition for North’s season-opener against the Gold Coast Suns.