A persistent groin complaint was largely responsible for Jesse O’Brien being forced to wait almost 16 months between playing his 15^th and 16^th AFL games.

O’Brien’s groin troubles surfaced last season, and further surgery in the off-season meant his pre-season preparations were severely hampered.

But the North Adelaide recruit was determined not to simply fade away into AFL oblivion, and eventually found his way back onto the field in the NEAFL earlier this season.

Then last week, after a string of impressive performances with the Lions Reserves, O’Brien was finally recalled to the senior team for his first AFL match since Round 3 of 2012.

“It’s been a fairly long road back to the seniors,” O’Brien told Dom Fay and Michael Whiting as part of this week’s Fancast.

“I’ve been working really hard, especially with the Reserves, and playing some pretty good footy.”

Playing across half-forward against the Saints last Saturday night, he collected 14 disposals, laid four tackles, and kicked a goal.

More importantly, he received some positive feedback from the Lions coaches following his first-up performance.

“Speaking with (Adrian Fletcher), he seemed pretty happy with my game. The thing for me was more work rate and defensive pressure. As a half-forward, you need to work really hard,” O’Brien said.

“I just wanted to play my role, and all the coaches seem pretty happy with how I went.”

“Obviously there are things I still need to work on, but getting a bit more fitness and more used to the increased match intensity will go a long way.”

O’Brien’s return has come at an opportune time, with the 22-year-old out of contract at the end of this season.

“I try not to think about being out of contract at the end of the year, but every time I do go out I’m playing for my career,” he said.

“I’m really enjoying everything up here with the Lions. We’ve got some really good young players. I want to secure another contract with this Club because I see it going places.”