CHRIS Dawes says he was simply pleased to be back out on the paddock, when he played for Casey in its win over Williamstown at Casey Fields last Saturday night.

Dawes booted two goals for the Scorpions and will look to build on his return in the VFL this weekend, after playing just one official match for Melbourne – its NAB Cup opener against North Melbourne on February 22.

“I only played about a quarter in the NAB Cup, so it was good to get out and play across four quarters – it was another little box to tick,” he said. 

“Performance wise, I wasn’t outstanding and I did what I needed to do. I made the most of [it].

“I had a few good contests and there were a few I got beaten in, and running wise, I got what I needed to out of the game, which was important.”

The 2010 Collingwood premiership player said another key forward, Mitch Clark, who will now miss the next six to eight matches with a foot injury, had given him strong support in his recovery.

“Mitch Clark and I cry on each other’s shoulders a bit, but he’s had a much worse run than me,” Dawes said.

“There is a bit of sympathising there, but we’ve got some quality medical staff, like Gary Nicholls, who I knew from my days at Collingwood, so he’s easy to have conversations with when need be.

“I’m still pretty clear on what it is that I need to achieve and what I’ve got to prove to be able to put my hand up for senior selection. It’s as easy a situation as you could ask for in these circumstances.”