Speaking after training, assistant coach, Ashley Prescott, said the key backman prospect had made an excellent recovery and hadn't suffered too much of a set-back.

""He has pretty much been given a clean bill of health,"" Prescott said.

""Now it's a matter of building up his fitness and football conditioning base and that could see him being available for an NAB Cup or Challenge game before the start of the year.

""He had been fantastic at training (before the operation). He has a great ability to read the play; he is strong defensively and has a fantastic kick from an accuracy and length point of view.

The No. 5 pick in the 2008 NAB National Draft was suffering pain in January before tests showed a non-functional gall bladder which was removed through key-hole surgery.

Prescott said the club is excited to be progressing to the second round of the NAB Cup.

""It's pleasing to come away with a victory, to get another opportunity to play in the NAB Cup against Brisbane who are a side that are playing with a lot of hardness and aggression,"" he said.

""For us it was great to see new guys like Tyson Slattery and Michael Quinn get a run.

""Tyson's ability to play on tall and small forwards gives him, and us, great flexibility. The way he went back with the flight of the ball and intercepted by spoiling showed great courage and would have earned him respect from teammates and coaches.