There was a time when an AFL debut for Jordan Cunico seemed just around the corner.

Taken at pick 59 in the 2014 draft, the Traralgon-born speedster was a standout through his first season at VFL level and was promptly signed to a longer term deal by the Cats as a result.

Some 12 months later and the now 20-year-old has been rarely sighted on field due to lingering knee complaints which required surgery on both joints.

The wheels have finally begun to turn, however, and speaking to the Geelong Advertiser, Cunico admits that while recent times have been frustrating, he now dares to dream of that long-awaited debut once more.

“It had been a pretty long time since I’d been in full training so it’s pretty good to finally be out there with the boys training, it’s a good feeling,” Cunico said.

“It was pretty frustrating but hopefully the body is all right now. I’m feeling good and hopefully I can have a really good year.

“It’s a pretty good team to be a part of. Obviously it would mean a lot to me (to debut), obviously it’s a dream to play AFL footy.

“I’ve worked really hard the last couple of years to get my body right, hopefully I’ve done everything I can, have a really good pre-season and hopefully everything works well and I can work my way into the AFL side.”