AFTER almost 12 months between matches, Alex Woodward was just excited to get back out on the park.

The luckless midfielder – who was forced to undergo a third knee reconstruction after an injury in a VFL match in July last year – made his comeback for Box Hill Hawks’ development side on Sunday.

The return was one thing.

The result – 18 disposals in a half of football – was another.

A lengthy rehabilitation had Woodward ready for whatever came his way.

“I was very confident in my body,” he said.

“It was good to get a little bit of the footy and I was really excited. It’s been a long time coming, so I was really happy.”

A blistering first term from the Woodward – he picked up 13 disposals – helped set up the Hawks’ win against Northern Blues.

He finished with 18 disposals, playing a half of football as planned.

Winning the ball in the thick of the action has been a key strength of Woodward’s in his time at Hawthorn, a strength which saw him win the VFL’s 2014 JJ Liston Trophy and break through for his AFL debut.

He said throwing himself into the action was a focus in his comeback.

“For me personally I just didn’t want to hesitate, which was good. (I was) just really excited, really eager just to get my hands on the footy,” Woodward said.

“It was just pleasing to know that I haven’t really lost my touch.

“The transition from rehab to playing games, it was pretty seamless which was nice.

“Obviously there’s a few knocks, but all good feelings.”

Woodward was on the verge of senior selection last year, before injury struck.

With any luck, Sunday’s comeback will be just the start for Woodward in 2016.