AMIDST all this uncertainty, Sam Docherty has a clear silver lining.

Given the wait he had to endure, it’s not a surprising one.

After missing the last two seasons with consecutive ACL injuries, Docherty had his eyes on Round 1, 2020 from a long way away.

While the game was only confirmed 24 hours beforehand and then the season was put on hold just days later, Docherty’s relief at getting back underway is evident.

Speaking to FOX Sports’ AFL Tonight, he said he was “pretty stoked” to get the return game ticked off.

“It was a long time between drinks, over 900 days,” Docherty said.

“Just to get back out there and play footy again at the highest level was really enjoyable for me, even though there was no crowd and a lot of different circumstances we were in.

“To get one game away was really exciting and reward for a lot of hard work over a number of years.”

Next on the agenda is Docherty’s - and Carlton’s - next game, which is still yet to be determined.

Unsurprisingly, the self-proclaimed ‘footy-head’ has hit sights set on the next time he pulls on the Navy Blue guernsey, with a shorter time between drinks compared to last time.

“It’s very unfortunate that we had to give it up after one game, but the exciting thing is we are going to try and get back to playing footy,” he said.

“That’s what I’m looking forward to the most.”

For Docherty’s full comments, watch the video at the top of this article.