MELBOURNE'S Austin Wonaeamirri says a spray from his coaches for returning to pre-season training overweight has him ready to rebound from a disappointing 2009.

Wonaeamirri, who captured the imagination of Demons supporters in his debut 2008 campaign with his energy in the forward line, battled hamstring and knee problems last year and was limited to just two matches with Casey in the VFL.

Further frustration came with the three kilograms he gained in the off-season but with the support of his teammates, particularly Aaron Davey, it was the wake-up call Wonaeamirri needed.

"We all make mistakes, so I put my head down and bum up and worked really hard," he told melbournefc.com.au.

"I became strict with my diet and from that day I thought to myself, 'Why did I come back this heavy, when last year I was trim and fit?' But then I got my skinfolds down pretty quick."

While not using it as an excuse, Wonaeamirri indicated his knee injury was a reason for his weight problem.

"I went home (to the Northern Territory) and because of my knee, I couldn't run and I was on a restricted walking program," he said.

"I tried to run and I didn't want to do any more damage. I tried to relax a bit for about two weeks and do nothing. But for me, it's easy to put on weight and harder for me to get it off.

"I made that mistake and I'm ready to move on and look forward to 2010."

It wasn't all smooth sailing from there for the 21-year-old, who suffered another hamstring injury soon before Christmas - to his good leg.

However, Wonaeamirri has since graduated to a full training program with a view to play in round two or three of the NAB Cup competition.

"I'm over the hamstring now and hopefully I can train well over the next two weeks and then get a chance," he said.

Senior coach Dean Bailey had talked up Wonaeamirri's prospects on the eve of last season, only for the Tiwi Islander to tear his hamstring in Melbourne's NAB Cup loss to Hawthorn in Launceston.

"In that NAB Cup game I got a few early tackles, which was good for me," he said.

"I thought I was on, but unfortunately my hamstring went ping."

Two weeks into his late-April return with Casey, Wonaeamirri left the field halfway through a match against Coburg.

"I'd done the meniscus (knee cartilage), but we didn't find that until the scans. The doctor told me eight to 10 weeks," he said.

Those experiences have ensured Wonaeamirri's goals for 2010 are simple and realistic.

He said training with his teammates was enough to put a smile back on his face, but stringing a few games together was his next priority.

"Hopefully I can play 15-plus [matches], which would be good for me," he said. "But it would be awesome to play 22 games.

"I've trimmed down, so it would take the pressure off my legs."

Wonaeamirri, who is one of five indigenous players on Melbourne's list, said he hoped to play more football alongside Davey, Liam Jurrah, Neville Jetta and Jamie Bennell.

Matthew Whelan's retirement at the end of 2009 has elevated Davey as a leader for the others.

"Liam has come on really well, Jamie Bennell has been training the house down and is looking really good and Neville Jetta has trimmed up heaps and is looking fit," Wonaeamirri said.

"Hopefully we'll get the five playing together in the same side and we'll see what we can do."