It’s been close to two years in the making but Sam Day is finally set to make his long-awaited return to Metricon Stadium.

The SUNS forward comes back into the side this week after serving a one-game suspension and will play in front of a home crowd for the first time since dislocating his hip in the 2017 pre-season.

The 25-year-old says he’s excited to be back on his home deck and is expecting a fierce challenge against Geelong on Saturday.

“Yeah (it’s been) 18 months or almost two years for me out of Metricon so it will be good to pull on a jumper and run out alongside the boys at home again,” Day told SUNS TV.

“Hopefully we can make it a bit of a fortress and really put the right foot forward for our first game here.”

Day has played eight games of football this year and says he has put the demons of his short-lived 2017 campaign behind him. 

“The body’s feeling really good, I haven’t had any trouble with the hip but still on an upwards incline hopefully,” Day said.

“I think I’ve still got a long way to go but I feel like I’ve been building each week.

“I’m just trying to work on little things here and there to make sure I’m getting back to where I want to be.”

After playing as second fiddle to Tom Lynch for the majority of his career, Day has found himself thrust into the spearhead role when Lynch went down injured after round six.

Academy product Brayden Crossley found himself promoted to Day’s side in the forward line and made an immediate impact in Lynch’s absence.

With the captain now back fit and named for Round 11, it was Crossley who had to make way in the side, but Day already likes what he sees in the young ruckman.

It’s a tough ask for a first-year player to come in and play against the big bodies that we have down in the backline against us,” Day said.

“His enthusiasm and energy has been awesome and he’s just been a sponge, learning everything he can.

“Lynchy’s been a great help while he’s been missing and Goobs has just been awesome so hopefully it gives him a good taste of footy.”

With the focus now on the return to Metricon Stadium for Sir Doug Nicholls Round, Day says he’s excited to see the stands filled with red and gold.

“I think everyone’s looking forward to it,” Day said. 

“We had our big road stint and now we’re back at home ready to run out in front of hopefully a big crowd to take on the Cats on Saturday.”