AFTER more than two years – or 797 days – since playing his most recent AFL match, utility Jack Trengove will add to his 81-game career after he was selected to play for Melbourne against Hawthorn at the MCG on Saturday.

Trengove, who suffered an almost career-ending foot injury, will play his first game since March 30, 2014.

Coach Paul Roos said it was “a great story and an unbelievable story”.

“His last game was round two, 2014, so it was a fair while ago. He comes in, in really, really good form and I’m pretty excited about seeing him play,” he said on Melbourne TV’s Roos’ Views.

“There were times when I’m sure he wouldn’t have thought he’d play again and the medical staff and coaches were uncertain – even if they were optimistic, but you never want to get pessimistic with things like that."

Trengove played the first two rounds of the 2014 season, before he was an emergency for rounds three and four.

And it was during that AFL round four equivalent in the VFL that proved to be his last match, until he played in a Casey intra-club match, which corresponded with round one this year.

It’s been a long road for the former Melbourne co-captain, who became the youngest full-time club captain in VFL/AFL history, when he was appointed for the 2012 season. It was a position he held until the end of the 2013 season.

But Roos said Trengove, a fan favourite and highly popular figure around the club, had been “unbelievably positive” in his comeback.

“He’s such a high, quality person and to go through what he’s gone through – I haven’t seen him down or not smiling. He’s impacted the club positively over the last couple of years and he’s been unbelievable really,” he said.

“So that’s why it’s so pleasing that he’s back and he’s getting a game. He’s worked his way into some terrific form.

“I’m sure the players will be excited for him – there’s no doubt – because he’s an ex-captain of the footy club and he’s extremely popular. No one likes to see anyone go through injuries and when it’s someone so popular, you feel for them and go through the journey with them a bit.

“To see them come out the other end and play the game – the players are pretty excited about it.”

Although Roos said it was such an unknown if Trengove would ever play again, he added that he’s actually returned quicker than expected.

“It’s so hard to tell with that injury that I don’t think anyone really knew,” he said.

“I think you need to remain positive, but it was really unknown how he was going to come out and when he was going to come out [and play again].

“I definitely feel like he’s probably three or four weeks ahead of what I thought. I was thinking around the bye or the second half of the season, so he’s done a terrific job to get back as quickly as what he’s done – that’s the biggest thing that hits me when he’s playing this weekend.”