After more than 18 months away from the sport, Carpenter will make his return this season.

Though Carpenter was widely viewed as one of the best hookers in Group 10, a number of serious injuries meant he spent just as much time on the sidelines as the field after graduating from juniors.

“I had last year off completely and I did my ACL halfway through the year before that,” Carpenter said.

“I went travelling overseas last year for a month which took my mind off it. But when I got back it was during finals footy and it got me thinking about playing again.

“It made me appreciate what it was like when everything was going good. It has been a long time, probably three-four years since I’ve had a full season playing in first grade.”

While Carpenter played all his previous football for Bathurst Panthers, his comeback season will be in the colours of the Oberon Tigers.

The now 23-year-old rake is settling in to training and looking forward to playing alongside his new team-mates.

“It’s been good, I work out at Oberon so I know most of the fellas and I seem to be fitting in alright,” he said.

“I’m keen to go around with Luke Branighan [coach], he seems like a real good bloke, and hopefully we get a few more good signings as well. But most of all I’m just keen to get back into it.”