Carlton star Dale Thomas admits he feared his career would be cut short by a troublesome right ankle injury, which required multiple bouts of surgery around 18 months ago.
Thomas’ right ankle joint required surgery in November 2012 while he was at Collingwood. 
 
Six months later the midfielder went under the knife again, this time to repair a torn tendon in the same ankle.
 
Another setback late last year saw Thomas narrowly avoid a third bout of surgery but it delayed his pre-season preparations at his new club, Carlton.
 
Thomas told AFL.com.au he seriously questioned whether he would ever play football again.
 
"There's no doubt [I was worried]," Thomas said.
 
"When you have back-to-back surgeries and try to make a comeback to play finals - I probably stumbled at that last hurdle, you do question it.
 
"But I saw a lot of professionals and people who have an understanding of the ankle structurally, more than my understanding of just how it felt. So they assured me it would be fine. Lucky for them they were right."
 
It's been a long road to recovery for Thomas who managed just five games for Collingwood in 2013, and while he's played every game for the Blues this season, an interrupted pre-season saw him struggle to make an impact.
 
Renowned for his hard running through the midfield, the 26-year-old has been played across half-forward as he built match fitness.
 
But that didn't stop the critics from writing off Thomas, saying his best football had passed him by.
 
But the Blues' recruit is confident he can recapture the highs of his 2010 and 2011 form.
 
"Most certainly [I can]," Thomas said.
 
"There's no reason why I can't. The ankle feels great, my body is getting better each week and I'm getting to know how the boys play.
 
"Once I get up into the midfield there will be an opportunity for me to recapture my form.
 
"At the start of the year I was aware I was going to cop a fair bit of heat with the move but I didn't expect it to come so quickly after round one.
 
"It's water off a duck’s back for me. People can knock you as much as they want.
“Whether or not it does sit somewhere deep below and gives you a little bit more drive to prove the naysayers wrong - well hopefully I can do that ... and they're eating humble pie at some point."
 
Thomas' form has been building and he gathered 18 disposals and kicked three goals last Friday night against Geelong.
 
"I know that it's going to take a little bit of time," he said.
 
"Each week, like the team, I'm trying to improve and work on my game and I think I'm doing that and hopefully my best isn't too far away."