COLLINGWOOD forward Alan Didak has emerged unscathed from his first competitive hit-out since tearing the adductor muscle in his groin in February.
Didak collected 22 disposals and kicked a goal as his VFL side defeated the Northern Blues by seven points at Preston City Oval on Saturday.
The 29-year-old played around 75-80 per cent game time, combining his time up forward with bursts in the midfield.
Click here to recap the live coverage of Saturday's win.
Speaking after the game, Didak told collingwoodfc.com.au he was pleased to get through the match.
"You can train as much as you want, but once you start to play matches it's a completely different fitness," Didak said.
"I felt pretty good, I blew up a couple of times, but the main thing is I got through it."
Despite such a significant layoff, Didak appeared to be uninhibited in his movement patterns and he ran hard to receive the ball on a number of occasions.
His willingness to compete was also noteworthy, working hard to support his backline when it was required.
The 200-gamer endured a tough 2011, having been restricted by injury for much of the year, while his Grand Final performance against Geelong, by his own admission, was below par.
In the pre-season, he focussed on improving his fitness, but the groin injury forced him onto the sidelines for a few months.
Didak indicated he might need another run in the reserves before getting elevated to the senior side.
"We've got to see how I pull up, we've got recovery tomorrow morning and I reckon I'll have to play another one to get back in the seniors," he said.
"AFL these days, it's really quick, it's probably too hard to come straight back in from injury so I'll probably play another one in the reserves."
The Magpies were dealt a significant blow on Saturday afternoon when scans confirmed midfielder Luke Ball would miss the rest of the season with a ruptured ACL.
Didak said Ball's injury would test the club's midfield depth.
"[I was] obviously devastated," he said.
"It's shocking news, it's going to be a big loss but it gives someone else an opportunity to step up and fulfil his role."
Another concern for the Magpies is the quad injury to All Australian defender Ben Reid, which is expected to keep him out for two to three weeks.
But in a big plus for Collingwood, defender Nathan Brown could be in the frame for senior selection after impressing in one-on-one contests.
Brown had 16 possessions and four marks and might be rushed back in as soon as next week to cover the loss of Reid.
FINAL SCORES
Collingwood 15.8 (98)
Northern Blues 13.13 (91)
Ben Guthrie is a reporter for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter @AFL_BenGuthrie
