ASSISTANT coach Jade Rawlings says Jack Trengove has genuinely earned his selection and has not been gifted a game.

The defensive coach said Trengove had demanded selection after overcoming a career-threatening foot injury, which has seen him play at the highest level for more than two years.

“I think the satisfaction Jack can take out of it is how he’s handled his setbacks over the last two and a half years,” Rawlings told Melbourne TV.

“The other side of it is that it’s not a token game – it’s been earned through continual performance in the VFL.

“We’ve picked him because we think he’ll make us better on the weekend. You can take good confidence out of that from a coaching perspective.”

Rawlings said it was a great moment when Trengove was told on Gosch’s Paddock that he was playing against Hawthorn at the MCG this Saturday.

“It shows how he impacts his teammates positively and how happy there are for him is always a great sign,” he said.

“It’s great news for Jack and everyone really at the footy club, considering what he’s been through.

“It’ll be really exciting to see him back out there, considering how long it’s been.”

Rawlings was full of admiration for Trengove determination and spirit.

“It’s just incredible to see someone have so much resilience. You get resilience in different ways and he’s handled it with so much positivity as well,” he said.

“I remember when I spoke to him the day he found out about his second navicular [bone injury] had been identified and the way he spoke, you thought ‘how could you handle it so well?’

“I’ve got no doubt the way he has handled his setback has helped him in his rehabilitation and he’s got a positive attitude. He’s trained really hard and then his performances have come to hand and probably a bit quicker than what we expected – and maybe even himself.

“He does deserve a spot and it’s going to be great to see him out there again on the weekend.”