FINDING his feet at AFL level.

After a frustrating beginning to 2019, the last fortnight has shown the strengths of Lochie O’Brien in the Old Dark Navy Blue.

The No.10 draft pick in the 2017 NAB AFL Draft broke through for 18 games in his first season at Ikon Park, enjoying a particularly strong final fortnight.

However, when he was ready to attack his second pre-season, a back injury in the summer sidelined the emerging midfielder at a vital time.

Speaking to 91.3 Sport FM in Perth ahead of Sunday’s trip to Optus Stadium, O’Brien said while he wasn’t concerned by the injury, he certainly felt the frustration.

“I felt really good with my season last year and I was really hoping to build on that,” O’Brien said.

“I had an interrupted pre-season with a back injury and things like that, so it didn’t really go to plan from the start.

“I definitely didn’t worry… it was just frustrating at the time to not be able to train in that pre-season block.”

Catching up to speed at the beginning of the season, O’Brien began the year with the Northern Blues, honing his craft as a wingman who would back in his skills by foot.

And despite playing five out of six games following his recall in Round 3, it’s been the most recent two games where O’Brien has shown his potential.

Labelling the last fortnight a “confidence boost”, O’Brien has averaged 16 disposals in the games against Brisbane and the Western Bulldogs.

“I’m starting to find my feet again, and I’m really finding the game a lot more comfortable out there,” O’Brien said.

“I’m actually wanting to be really bold.

“I obviously had an extended period in the VFL, trying to get that back and working on my weaknesses to try and build and get my way back into the AFL team.”

That willingness to take the game on was evident against the Bulldogs, with O’Brien leading the side for metres gained (516).