It hasn’t been an ideal first year in the system for 2015 No. 20 draft pick, Brayden Fiorini.

The 18-year-old looked set for an early season debut with the SUNS before suffering a ruptured lateral collateral ligament in a reserves game against Brisbane in mid-April.

Since then, Fiorini has watched a number of his teammates, including close friend Darcy Macpherson, make their AFL debuts whilst being stuck on the sidelines. But the Northern Knights product has taken positives from the last seven weeks as he enters the latter stages of his rehabilitation.

“First couple of weeks was a bit slow, just trying to get my range back but definitely last week and this week’s been real good,” Fiorini told Fiat SUNS in Cars on Friday afternoon.

“Tomorrow will be my first run on grass so that’ll be good and it’s given me the chance to just focus on other areas of my game, build up my body and my knowledge.

“I suppose it’s been a positive in a way.”

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Fiorini averaged 31 possessions per game in his first two appearances at NEAFL level and is aiming to be back on the park in the back half of the season.

While a senior berth in his debut campaign is the ultimate goal, the classy midfielder remains grounded, taking it one step at a time.

“Hopefully after the bye I’ll start training with the group again, a few weeks of training,” he said.

“Probably five or six from here, hopefully get my first game, touched wood all goes well and fingers crossed.

“Hopefully can get back and play in the twos for a couple of weeks towards the end of the year and hopefully gives me enough time to break through to the firsts and give me a taste of what it’s like.

“I’m not really focusing on that too much, it’s just sort of the short-term goals and hopefully I get back on the track and start playing well and just enjoy footy again.”