Sam Taylor says he struggled mentally after rupturing his testicle but the star GWS defender believes he has been right to play for the past three weeks.
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The All-Australian will slot straight back into the Giants' backline after being included for Saturday night's crucial match against Melbourne at the MCG.
Taylor has missed five games since suffering the freak injury in the round 14 win over Port Adelaide.
Undergoing surgery on a testicle was the latest interruption to his season after he suffered a heavy concussion against St Kilda in round five.
"Mentally it was pretty tough early on, just because it's the unknown, never happened before and you don't really see it in the AFL," Taylor said on Friday.
"But I think I've been ready for the last two or three weeks.
"The specialist cleared me last week, but I didn't hit the loads.
"Then before that, I just couldn't do contact and you can't play AFL if you can't do contact.
"Having a concussion early in the year, and then ruptured my testicle has been an interesting one, but I'm just happy to be back."
GWS have strung together three straight victories after winning just two of their previous seven games.
Taylor admitted the Giants' season was looking "shaky" but says they are ready to challenge with just five games left before the finals.
"We're in a great position now to push for finals, and hopefully top four," he said.
"It's really important playing at the 'G.
"We don't play here often, but when we get the chance to, it's always a great feeling."
Fellow GWS star Tom Green was on Thursday officially reprimanded by the AFL for slamming the league's crackdown on dangerous tackles.
The AFL found Green had engaged in excessive or unfair criticism when he claimed the match review officer and the tribunal were a "disgrace" and were "ruining the game" in a Giants-produced podcast.
Green made his comments before the club had successfully overturned Toby Bedford's controversial three-match ban for a tackle against Richmond.
Taylor said his teammate "stepped over the line just slightly".
"We want players being honest and authentic ... he knows what he did wrong and will be better in the future," Taylor said.
"But it's good for his podcast though, so tune in."
Australian Associated Press
