Jared Crouch has reluctantly watched many games of football since injuries sidelined him mid-last season so he is eager to rejoin his teammates this weekend when they tackle Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.
"It's going to be exciting to get back out there. I certainly missed playing footy at the highest level and I can't wait to get back out there,” Crouch told the media contingent at the team’s recovery session on Friday.
"I don't enjoy watching footy, not when I know I could be out there amongst it.
"So being back this weekend is the most excited I've been since the end of 2005.
“The 2006 season was a bit of a struggle and to get back in 2007, it's the most excited I've been for a while.”
Numerous injuries ended Crouch’s 194 consecutive games from debut streak but he said “there was never any doubt” he would make a comeback.
"I guess I needed a bit of a rest there for a little bit,” he admitted.
“I've got full confidence in our medical and fitness staff and they were always positive this was just something that happens in footy and something I needed to get right.
"I got to that stage where I could no longer play, so the best thing for me was to have a bit of a rest, have some time off and get my body right.
"I guess all the testing and all the training I've done so far, I'm pretty much where I was beforehand but you never know until you get out there and play.
“But I'm confident that we've got everything right."
