FEARING his career was over after just one game with his new club, Greater Western Sydney's Setanta O'hAilpin is a man on a mission heading into 2013.

Thrown a lifeline by the Giants in the fifth round of the 2011 NAB AFL Draft, O'hAilpin overcame a pre-season achilles injury to make his GWS debut in round six against Carlton at Etihad Stadium.

It was a fitting bow for the Irishman, who kicked 67 goals in 80 games over seven years with the Blues.

Setanta O'hAilpin's career stats

And it all started so well as the young Giants took it up to their highly favoured opponents in GWS' first ever match in Melbourne.

"I was really enjoying the game and got off to a great start, kicking two goals in the first half," O'hAilpin reflected in an interview with AFL.com.au.

"Obviously it was a big day for me having played with Carlton for so many years and I wanted to put my best foot forward and lead by example."

Yet what loomed as one of the year's best stories soon turned to disaster.

In a ruck contest against Carlton's Matthew Kreuzer, O'hAilpin took a knock to his left knee as he landed, rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament.

Only on a one-year contract, in one instant O'hAilpin's season - and potentially his career - was over.

"I definitely had that doubt in my head, thinking this could be it," the 29-year-old said.

"It's not the way I wanted to go out of the game, having done your knee, but if it was meant to be, it was meant to be.

"But the club gave me another opportunity, which I'm very grateful for, and hopefully I can repay that faith."

Setanta O'hAilpin celebrates a goal against Carlton in round six. Picture: AFL Media

Many assumed O'hAilpin's injury would spell the end of his brief GWS journey.

But it turns out GWS football manager Gubby Allan had spoken to him just weeks after his surgery to reassure him he would remain on the list for 2013.

He is ahead of schedule with his rehabilitation program and targeting a return to the field during the NAB Cup.

Talk to any GWS player or staff member and you quickly get an understanding of the esteem in which the big Irishman is held.

"He's one of the heart and soul players of our football club," midfielder Stephen Coniglio said.

"If anyone's ever gone through a flat spell, you just go and hang around Setanta for five or 10 minutes and you'll end up with a smile on your face.

"I remember sitting at Melbourne airport after that Carlton game and although he was a bit down, constantly he says it could've been worse, there's people worse off than me.

"That selfless attitude is why he's such a good role model for a lot of the young kids coming through.

"Giving him another year on the list will help prove he can still play at this level."
 
Born in western Sydney, O'hAilpin moved to Ireland at the age of four before returning to Australia as an 18-year-old to try his hand at AFL.

Now back living in Sydney's west, O'hAilpin says "sometimes I have to pinch myself and realise that I've come full circle".

He feels a debt to GWS and has talked to the club about a welfare position when his playing days end.

But before that, he has some unfinished business on the field.

James Dampney is a reporter for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_JD