Brisbane Lions defender Mitch Golby has welcomed the return of match simulation drills at pre-season training – particularly considering it’s been almost six months since he’s been able to satisfy his competitive instincts.

Golby missed the final nine matches of 2012 with a foot stress fracture, and only just lost a race against time in his bid to return before season’s end.

He has since completed every pre-season session, which has only served to further fuel his hunger for a taste of on-field action.

Fortunately, Golby was finally able to put some of his hard work into practice when he was pitted against some of his teammates on Monday in a modified practice match.

“I finally got to get in and tackle everyone,” Golby told LIONS TV.

“I got crashed by Jordy (Lisle) and Rog (Daniel Merrett) a couple of times.”

“The last couple of weeks we’ve been starting to ramp (match practice) up a little bit. We’re starting to get into more match-related types of things – today we had a 14 v 13 (scratch match) which was good.”

“It’s now a matter of tightening things up a little bit with our skills – we’re still a little bit rusty here and there, but making improvements week to week.”

The increased match simulation follows the Lions’ gruelling pre-Christmas program which focussed largely on fitness (running) and strength.

“The boys had their hardest running session on Saturday and got through it really well,” the 2012 AFL Rising Star nominee said.

“My fitness is probably a tiny bit better than it was at this time last year. My knowledge of the game plan and leadership is also starting to take over more than it was last year.”

Although he was originally recruited as a midfielder/wingman, Golby seems more than happy to reprise the same role that helped him cement a senior position in the team last year.

“I think I’ll play that half-back role again,” he said.

“With Drummo going, I’ll look to attack a bit more. But I still have to find that balance between attack and defence.”