DAVID Schwarz’s comeback in the 1990s – after three knee reconstructions – was an inspiring achievement.

When his career looked in serious doubt, he proved many wrong.

He may not have dazzled in the manner he did in the 1994 finals series – who can ever forget his performances against Carlton and the Bulldogs? – but he came back to have a profound influence at Melbourne.

He even went on to win the club’s best and fairest and represent Victoria against South Australia in 1999, before playing in Melbourne’s most recent Grand Final in 2000.

Although in different circumstances, Melbourne experienced another outstanding comeback of sorts on the weekend, when Jack Trengove resumed his AFL career, after 797 days or round two, 2014.

A foot injury almost ended his career and many wondered if the former co-captain – he was the youngest VFL/AFL player to captain a club full-time – could add to his 81 AFL games.

On Saturday, he did.

Trengove made a remarkable return to the game, playing his 82^nd AFL match against Hawthorn at the MCG.

He wasn’t best-on-ground, nor did he win 30 disposals, but he gained 19 touches and four clearances and got better as the game went on.

It was a show of perseverance, patience and positivity that got Trengove over the line. His resilience and ability to keep going, when in reality he would’ve been quite within his right to call it a day, was testimony to his character.

The popular and genuinely likeable 24-year-old said it had been incredible in the lead-up to the match when he was given the news by coach Paul Roos and captain Nathan Jones at Gosch’s Paddock during Melbourne’s Thursday training session.

“It was a bit of a whirlwind … when I got told that I was going to be playing. It was really humbling to have all of the messages come through and showing people that they’re behind me and supporting me,” he told Melbourne TV.  

“It was a bit of a buzz knowing that I was going to be run out on the ‘G again in the red and the blue. I was a bit nervous to start with, but once the siren goes, you’re into a normal game, and you could be in the backyard of your house, just chasing the ball and trying to do the right things for the team.

“It was disappointing to finish up the way it did, but it was good to get through a full game.”

Trengove said he was “a bit dusty early” but got going as the game went on.

“It was difficult conditions, being so slippery and it was a very inside game,” he said.

“I played a lot along the wing and when the opportunity came for me to put my head over it and be clean with the ball, which I didn’t think I probably did early on in the game, I maybe worked into it a bit more in the second half.

“I learned a lot from the game and hopefully I can work on the things that I need to improve on going forward into next week or beyond.”

So was there anything he noticed considerably different in playing at the highest level, from March 30, 2014 – when the West Coast Eagles thrashed Melbourne by 93 points at Domain Stadium – to now?

“It’s like being in a time capsule and being taken forward two years and being dumped back in there,” he said with a smile.

“All of the fundamentals are the same and it’s just being really hard in the contest and getting over and winning the ball. The biggest challenge is picking up the speed of the game and that was probably where I was off early in the game.

“You still have to be really clean with the ball and make good decisions and that will never change. It’s hard to compare from year to year, but it was certainly a high standard and that’s what I’m striving to get to.”

For Roos, Trengove’s comeback was simply “a terrific effort”.

“To not look out of place was what you’re looking for and that’s the first thing … but that’s the thing that struck me, he didn’t look out of place,” he said.

“He did some good things and looked comfortable, and there wasn’t a time in the [coaches’] box where we weren’t screaming his name out in a negative way, which is always a good indicator that someone is playing a good team role.

“I was really pleased, and to get him back on the field was really exciting for the footy club.”

As it was for everyone who bleeds red and blue!

Comebacks like his – and Schwarz’s back in the day – are just part of the reason we love the game. We don’t want to see the stars of the game injured, but their ability to overcome adversity is an inspiration for all.

Congratulations on your return Trenners. It was great to see the No.9 run around again. We look forward to seeing it in action much more.