JESSE Hogan says his mindset changed completely once he knew his season was still alive.

Hogan, who suffered a shoulder injury during Melbourne’s loss to North Melbourne at Blundstone Arena in round 19 – and subsequently missed the next two matches – initially thought his season was done.

But when the surgeon said he was a chance to resume before the end of the home and away season, Hogan immediately set his mind about returning.  

“My first initial thought process was that it was a 12 to eight-week injury,” he said.

“I was pretty flat and then I saw the surgeon the day after and he said ‘no, you can be running in five or six days and potentially playing in two weeks’.

“For me, it was a pretty big mindset swing from almost thinking about pre-season to being back playing in two weeks. I got through today with no issues, which was a positive and I’ll just refresh and go again.”

Hogan, who was outstanding with six goals upon return, said he was simply “happy to be out there to be honest”.

“It’s always fun when you’re kicking a couple of goals. To win a close game is always good because you always get a lot of mental resilience out of it, but I’m just happy to be back out there, rather than sitting in the MCC members watching,” he said.

“We’re definitely not looking past Collingwood. They’re in some pretty good form and they only just went down yesterday (Saturday) to one of the flag favourites [in Geelong], so I think we’ll quickly reflect on today’s game and then straight onto Collingwood and finish off.

“The most games I’ve played in a row this year is four, so to be out there again and see the boys playing good footy – you couldn’t have asked for much more.

“You’re in a footy club to play footy, so I’ve watched a lot of footy this year, which has been a bit frustrating. But I’m trying not to reflect on the past too much at the moment and I’m just looking towards next week.”