Frankston Oval is a daunting away destination at the best of times.

However when you’re 18-years-old and playing VFL football for the first time, it packs a little bit more of a punch.

On the 27th of July 2014, Matt Scharenberg pulled on the black and white stripes for the first time.

After a debut preseason ruined by foot injuries, Scharenberg showed glimpses of a highly-regarded player worthy of a No. 6 pick in the National Draft as he collected 12 possessions and took two marks.

Just a week shy of 12 months since his Collingwood debut, the 19-year-old defender returned to Frankston this weekend, this time with an AFL debut looming.

He had 20 disposals, four marks and six tackles in a key role in defence as the Magpies were 41-point winners over a winless Frankston.

“A lot has happened in 12 months,” Scharenberg reflected after Sunday’s match.

“I guess looking back on it, and having done my knee since then as well, it’s a good achievement to be out here playing,” he said.

“I’m happy to be out here and I can keep putting my best foot forward.”

After injuries cruelled the beginning his career, the dramas have subsided in 2015 with the ex-Glenelg player playing 10 of Collingwood’s 14 VFL games.

The string of games in defence have impressed Collingwood development coach Tarkyn Lockyer. 

"He’s come back now and put a really good block of footy together," Lockyer told Collingwood Media.

"And certainly over the last four or five weeks he’s played some really solid footy for us."

In an encouraging sign in his push for AFL selection he has also been an AFL emergency for the past two weeks.

A trip to his home state of Adelaide as emergency for the Magpies clash against Port proved an invaluable learning experience, with a second of week as emergency following for Collingwood’s game against West Coast.

“I’ve been back for a couple of months now in the VFL so it’s definitely good to get that match fitness back,” Scharenberg told Collingwood Media.

“I really attacked my rehab and have been doing everything I can to get back on the field.

“I’ve been emergency the last couple of weeks but when I come and play VFL I just try and stay in the moment and worry about what I’ve got to do. If I play my role for the team, hopefully the rest takes care of itself.”

While the decision will fall into the hands of the match committee, Lockyer believes "the rest" could take care of itself sooner rather than later.

"He looks like he’s ready to play AFL. It’ll be just when he gets his opportunity."