Western Bulldogs superstar Adam Cooney has revealed new coach Brendan McCartney has played a significant role in keeping the 2008 Brownlow Medalist's spirits up during his recovery from knee surgery.
Cooney went under the knife late last year to alleviate nagging issues stemming from when he cracked his patella four seasons ago.
It's been suggested that the chronic knee problems will prevent Cooney, 26, from ever recapturing his best form and may threaten his longevity as a footballer.
But during the dark and frustrating times over the summer, which have involved extended periods on the exercise bike, Cooney has been able to look to McCartney for guidance and reassurance about his value to the team.
"He (McCartney) has been the main one (source of help) where I've been struggling at times," Cooney said ahead of training at Whitten Oval on Friday.
"Obviously being in the gym with all the other guys in rehab here, you get pretty frustrated and it's good to just sit down one-on-one with him and he tells it like it is which has been really positive for me."
Cooney said his mind has been put 'at ease' after many conversations with McCartney over the pre-season which have clearly illustrated what is expected of the one-time All-Australian midfielder.
"He's just really supportive, I've had a lot of time one-on-one with him and he's really put my mind at ease about what he expects from me and the team," Cooney said.
"They (McCartney and the coaching staff) have reassured me that as long as I'm doing everything right in the gym and out on the training track that I can still play well for the team."
"It's more about just playing my role for the team rather than trying to be best on ground every week."
The 2003 No.1 draft pick will spend more time up forward this season to accommodate the condition of his knee but he still harboured hopes of playing predominately in the midfield.
"It's probably going to depend on how I'm feeling, obviously (some) weeks I'm going to be feeling better than other weeks so I'd hope to be spending probably 60 to 70 percent in the midfield," he said.
Cooney said he pulled up well from match simulation on Monday and wasn't resigned to being unable to play a full season either.
"It's more of a management thing and how I'm feeling week-to-week, it's feeling good at the moment, having said that I haven't played a full game with contact," he said.
While the star Dog conceded his knee probably wouldn't ever be 100 percent again, he said the operation had been beneficial so far.
"What I have done in the off-season to take a little bit of pressure off the kneecap has seemed to have worked pretty well," Cooney said.
"I'm not the only guy who has played with injuries and a lot of guys have done it in the past."
"I've been working pretty hard with the medical staff over the last sort of 10-12 weeks to put a good plan in place for when the season starts.
Cooney is set to play a half in the Bulldogs intra-club match on Saturday and is aiming to play the final three matches of the NAB Cup in a bid to be fit for the season opener against West Coast at Etihad Stadium on April 1.