This time last year, the 19-year-old North Warrnambool Eagle was battling testicular cancer.

But after his three- and six-month CT scans and blood tests came back all clear – following 12 weeks of chemotherapy and an abdominal operation to remove lymph nodes – the speedy utility was able to return to the game he loves.

O’Brien resumed training in November – three months after his operation – put in a big pre-season and now will make his return in Saturday’s clash with Camperdown.

“The first run I did was two k’s and I absolutely carked it, but now my fitness is getting there,” he said.

“I did have a big preseason just to try to get back into the senior team, but at the same time (I did it) slowly.

“Getting back into the senior side was exciting, but I was just happy to be able to play footy again and train again.”

O’Brien said his body was feeling good heading into the Leura Oval clash, following two rounds in the reserves.

“I used to have back pain and groin pain, but now my body feels back to normal. There hasn’t been any pain yet,” he said.

O’Brien urged any men who noticed something different with their bodies to see a doctor.

“If you do see any symptoms – anything, really – just get checked out,” he said.

“If I got onto it earlier, I probably wouldn’t have even had to have surgery and might not have needed chemo for as long.”

The support came thick and fast for O’Brien last year, with his Emmanuel College classmates starting a crowdfunding campaign and shaving their heads in solidarity, while forty North Warrnambool Eagles likewise lost their locks in support of their teammate.

North Warrnambool Eagles co-coach Graeme Twaddle said O’Brien’s form in the reserves over the opening two rounds had been “fantastic” – he was one of the Eagles’ best in their win over Cobden – and was looking forward what he would bring in his return to the team.

“We know he’s a really good, quick runner,” Twaddle said.

“He can play half-back, up through the wing and even half-forward if required.”

O’Brien was one of three inclusions for North Warrnambool Eagles for Saturday’s clash with Camperdown, with Tim Condon back, while Jordan Dillon will play his first match for 2017.

Dylan Parish is expected to miss six to eight weeks after having surgery this week on a broken ulna, while Louis Kew will miss this week with a concussion and Sam Curtis was omitted.