With just four home-and-away games remaining - plus the possibility of a finals series - Swans youngster Gary Rohan knows that there is still time left for him to make an impact before the conclusion of the 2011 season.

After playing the first four games of the season in the seniors, Rohan spent a lengthy spell on the sidelines after initially having an arthroscope on his knee at the end of May, before injuring his hamstring upon his return to competitive football in the reserves at the beginning of July.

The Swans first overall pick in the 2009 AFL Draft (No. 6) completed his long awaited return to the field last weekend in the reserves 100-point win over Belconnen in Canberra.

While not having a massive impact during his 60 minutes of playing time, Rohan was happy with how he progressed and is looking forward to building up his fitness base for the important closing stages of the season.

“I was a bit nervy when I started warming up and (the injuries) were always in the back of my mind, but I got through the game well and I did a couple of team things which were good,” Rohan said.

“When I started running I got my second wind up again so I was fine to run out the game.

“(As the game wore on) I just started to find a bit more ball and play to my strengths rather than just run around like a headless chook.

“The match fitness is the biggest thing I’m working on and hopefully I can play a full game this week.”

Rohan impressed with his speed over summer and was one of the Swans standouts in the AFL pre-season series. He looked set to cement his spot in the senior team and build on the nine games he played in his debut season, but then the injuries kicked in and briefly deflated the lively figure.

“It’s been very frustrating,” he said. “From my knee cartilage, and then when I was coming back from that, the hamstring - that really knocked me down.”

“(When I did the hamstring) I was devastated, I thought I might not be able to come back at all for the last couple of games. But my rehab has been fantastic, and hopefully that’s it for injuries until I retire.

“The boys kept me up and tried to get my confidence back and (now) I’m ready to go.”

Rohan cited his Club mentor Rhyce Shaw, and housemate Dan Hannebery as key influences in helping him get through the injuries and remain positive. He also relied heavily on Swans recruit Jed Lamb, who has trod a similar injury path to Rohan this year, to get each other through their rehab.

“The poor fella’s done two hamstrings already in his first year,” Rohan said of Lamb.

“(Recovery) was a lot easier having someone else there with me, pushing each other along and now we’re back playing together which is good.

“We’re pretty close outside of the footy Club as well - I was in his situation last year in moving out of home - so I’ve been trying to help him out as much as I can.”

Originally drafted to the Club as an exciting goalkicker, Rohan made the transition into a running defender over the pre-season, and he feels he can use some of the skills learnt as a forward to help him hold down a position as a rebounding defender.

“I’ve always used my pace to try and stop the opposition getting the ball out of the forward line,” Rohan explained.

“Since I’ve been moved down to defence, I’ve changed it around where I use my pace to get the ball out of defence, carry the ball along and try and hit a forward.
“Hopefully if there is a spot there (in defence), I’ll definitely put my hand up for it.”

Rohan will be looking to add to the list of young Swans who are currently plying their trade in the senior team, with the 20-year old admitting that playing alongside the likes of Alex Johnson, Luke Parker and Sam Reid on the biggest stage is a major motivating factor for him.

“I want to get out there and play with the young boys. I can see from the sidelines how much excitement they bring to the team,” he said. “In a couple of years’ time I think it’s going to be pretty exciting.

“Now I’ve just got to train hard and show the coaches that I’m always willing and eager to step up for senior selection.

“Hopefully I can play well this week in Canberra, put my name up for selection, and eventually come into the seniors and have an impact.”