All-Australian defender Nathan Bock says he never contemplated retiring from the AFL despite spending the past twelve months fighting his way back from a serious leg injury.

“I’ve always been very positive and optimistic that I would regain full fitness and get back to playing senior footy,” Bock said.

“This weekend will be the first step towards achieving that goal.”

While Bock has had to overcome a series of complications since his season-ending surgery, the 30-year-old says he did find comfort from players across the code that had suffered similar injuries.

"They've always been around that sort of time (12 months) or longer, so we think it's really positive we're getting back this week," he said.

"Chatting to Michael Barlow and Dale Morris from the Bulldogs, those guys went through similar injuries, and Matt Maguire. I just discussed rehab and that gave me some reassurance to getting back to full fitness and playing football.”

Promising defensive star Seb Tape successfully returned to football through the Club’s NEAFL side last weekend after spending much of the past twelve months working alongside Bock in rehabilitation after rupturing his ACL, Bock saying Seb's comeback had provided him with a significant confidence boost heading into this weekend's match.

“Seb Tape’s been through a similar process with his knee injury and we’ve been working together and he played his first game back on the weekend,” said Bock.

“I’m really looking forward to getting back out there this weekend and playing some good footy.”

While he won’t be part of the travelling party that boards the flight south this Friday, Bock said he had been on the edge of his seat watching the GC SUNS recent matches and couldn’t wait to begin his push towards a return to top flight footy again.

“We’re beginning to show real promise over the last few weeks and we really gave it up to Hawthorn,” he said.

“I’m really looking forward to regaining some match fitness and working as hard as I can on being ready when the opportunity to step up presents itself.”

Bock's refused to answer questions regarding a newspaper report earlier this month alleging he was the player named in the report released by the Australian Crime Commission.

"I've just been focusing on my rehab and getting back to playing some footy and that's what I'm focusing on," he said.

"I'm just excited about playing some football on the weekend."