IT'S TAKEN almost four years, one knee reconstruction and countless hours of pain, sweat and effort but Kristin Thornton is about to live his boyhood dream of playing AFL football.

The running defender has been named in the Sydney Swans’ team to play Carlton at the SCG on Saturday afternoon, ending more than a year of uncertainty.

Thornton underwent knee surgery after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in a practice match against Port Adelaide and spent all of last year in the club’s rehab group.

He lost his place on the senior list at the end of 2008 but the Swans gave the 21-year-old another chance as a rookie.

Thornton repaid the club’s faith with a strong start to 2009, playing well in the NAB Challenge series and excelling with the Swans reserves.

Now the club has rewarded him with the one thing that kept him going during those bleak post-reco days: a senior game.

Thornton said he remained confident throughout his rehabilitation that he would be able to withstand the rigours of an AFL career.

And in a way, his time out of the game helped him improve as a footballer.

"I watched footy for a whole year, sometimes from the coaches’ box, and you learn a lot in that respect," Thornton said.

"I’ve tried to put some of it into my game as if I was sitting up there – a lot of off the ball things, like engaging body contact earlier. Also, stopping a forward’s run; if he’s on the fly, just stepping in front of him.

"You get a lot better view of the oval from up in the coaches’ box so you can definitely figure out a few things. It’s a lot harder than what you expect in the box. In saying that, it’s always hard out on the field, too."

Despite his eagerness to return to the field, Thornton said he had to tone down his early expectations.

"I wanted to go back to how I was playing before I did my knee but I’ve realised now that I couldn’t do that straight away," he said of his approach to this season.

"It takes a few games, and I’ve played a few games now and I feel very confident in my body and my ability again. And I’ve loved every one of them."

Enjoyment is a word that features regularly in conversation with Thornton.

Having faced the prospect of a career cut short, the West Australian is clearly relishing every moment.

While some players might be frustrated by travelling with the team as an emergency, Thornton revelled in the company of his teammates when he made the trip to Brisbane last weekend.

"It was a real thrill, I wasn’t expecting it at all," Thornton said of his elevation from the rookie list.

"I thought I’d have a few more weeks before they looked at me in that way, but my progress has been good and Roosy (coach Paul Roos) just pulled me aside and said, 'Congratulations, we’re going to elevate you and name you emergency this week'.

"So I got a few frequent flyer points and travelled up to Brisbane. It was good to get around the boys at the hotel, just to get used to it all again."

With some luck and good form on Saturday, Thornton could well be getting used to suiting up with 21 of his Swans teammates on a more regular basis – and not before time.