Melbourne forward Aaron vandenBerg has re-signed for the 2018 season after missing the entire 2017 campaign with a heel injury.
VandenBerg had surgery in June to repair a hot spot in his heel but couldn't recover from that injury before the season ended.
After making his debut in round one, 2015, vandenBerg played 14 matches in his debut season and backed it up again in 2016 with another 14 appearances, and says the year off through injury has just made him hungrier to return to the playing field.
"I don't think you lose that hunger to want to play and play well," vandenBerg toldย AFL.com.auย during the week.
"I'm really looking forward to getting back and hopefully forcing my way back into that 22 and playing some good footy."
The 24-year-old helped out around the club following his injury, and was working with the coaches in a number of different areas, including helping the younger players and working with forward coach Troy Chaplin with his opposition analysis.
"With a long-term injury, it's important to stay involved because if you are not evolving with [the game] it can leave you behind pretty quickly," vandenBerg said.
"It's surprising what you can actually learn when you step back and look at the game."
VandenBerg also said he was happy to play anywhere on the field in 2018, and may find himself splitting time between the midfield and forward line next season.
He is expecting to return from his injury and will train with the squad on November 6, as he prepares for the 2018 season.
