AARON vandenBerg has pulled on the red and blue just seven times in the past three years, but that hasn’t deterred him.

The 27-year-old’s commitment has never wavered, as he continues to invest in his rehab.

And while some may have given up after such a tough run with injury, vandenBerg still finds a way to believe.

“To get back and play in 2018 off no pre-season … and be able to play at the level was a great reminder that I am capable of doing it,” vandenBerg told Melbourne Media.

“I’d like to think that the work I’ve had over the last couple of months is going to leave me in a better position to play this season coming.”

The hard-at-it midfielder would be a significant inclusion for the Demons, adding a hard edge to the side during last year’s finals campaign.

After missing the entire 2019 season, vandenBerg has learnt exactly what his foot is capable of and how to manage it throughout the remainder of his career.

“I don’t think we’ve ever been more aware of what I can and can’t do and what is going to help me sustain training for long periods of time,” he said.

“Darren Burgess has been great, as was David Misson, but we’ve got a pretty good understanding of where I’m at.

“Given if we’re careful and we’re smart, and we monitor my loads well, and I’m smart myself with the way I train and I prepare, then sky’s the limit.”

After spending so long in rehab, vandenBerg is hungrier than ever to be a part of the team and has had a taste of what it’s like to be back training with the main group.

“There’s nothing worse than running around an oval and watching everyone train, or worse yet, being in a pool or on a bike by yourself in a lonely gym,” he said.

“I couldn’t be happier being out there with the group.

“When you miss a lot of time and you miss a lot of training and you miss the ability to be around the group, it really does remind you that you’re in it for a bigger thing than yourself.

“It does take away that selfish element because we all are very competitive individuals as well.

“We’re all playing AFL football and when you miss a lot of it, and you miss training with everyone … you realise the reason you do this is to be a part of a group and to be a part of something.

“It just makes me hungrier to be a part of a club that is successful and does something together.”