Inspirational North Melbourne midfielder Ben Cunnington is on track to return to football for the first time in over a year this weekend.
Having not played since last July due to two bouts of testicular cancer which included an operation to remove the tumour and nine weeks of chemotherapy.
Cunnington was set to return last weekend but suffered an unfortunate setback due to Covid-19. But now the path is seemingly clear for a miraculous return.
Interim coach Leigh Adams said that should Cunnington get through North Melbourne's main training session on Thursday, he would lineup this weekend in either the VFL or senior side.
"We've still got two days to go through, so we're not counting it just yet given the history he has had," Adams told media.
"(If he) gets through main skills, we will have the discussion with the high-performance team about if it's best for him to have a run around in the twos for a week or we bring him straight back in."
Adams admitted that Cunnington was keen to come straight back into the senior side there was a likely chance that a route via the VFL would be taken.
The interim coach went on to speak about the amazing influence of the contested beast has had around the club in his time out of the side.
"I'm pretty sure I know what his preference will be, and the coach's preference," Adams said.
"At this time of year it's a great story for us, for the motivation of the group and for the footy club really. It's been an amazing journey which will hopefully be capped off.
"It's more his soft tissue stuff now. Having that calf setback three or four weeks ago and missing a fair chunk of work there.
"Playing back through the VFL we can manage his minutes, we can take him on and off whenever we feel like it, the intensity is probably not at the same level and we've ticked that box with a bit of due diligence. "