Daniel Nielson overcomes knee reconstruction to make his North Melbourne debut

DANIEL Nielson was just about to cook up a storm when coach Brad Scott’s name lit up his mobile phone, it was the long-awaited news he’d been waiting for.

Daniel Nielson tackles Edward Morris. Picture: Chris Eastman

DANIEL Nielson was just about to cook up a storm when coach Brad Scott’s name lit up his mobile phone on Wednesday night.

The Melburnian, 21, will make his AFL debut for North Melbourne after a long and injury-riddled few years since he was drafted.

And while his excitement was palpable, he had to keep the news to himself until training the following day.

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“I just got call from (Scott) and I was about to make some dinner. He said ‘make it a good one, because you’re going to be debuting this week’,” Nielson said.

“I held it in a bit the next day and waited for it to be announced and all the boys got around me. They were really happy to see me get my opportunity.

“I went and spoke to Scotty later that day and he gave me some good feedback on how I’ve been playing and said ‘just go out there and do the same stuff you’ve been doing in the last couple of weeks’. I’ve got his support.”

Daniel Nielson lays a tackle in the VFL. Picture: Chris Eastman

As for the dinner, the defender was happy to report that it wasn’t hampered by his exhilaration.

“It was a good one,” he laughed.

Nielson was drafted with pick No.25 in the 2014 draft, having spent time playing for Eastern Ranges with a few other young guns that have become household names like Tom Boyd and Jonathon Patton.

He also remains close with Demons forward Sam Weideman.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing.

A knee reconstruction in his first season at Arden Street set him back but his determination wasn’t tempered, and said there was plenty of positives to come from being struck down at a young age.

“I always had belief in myself that I could get out of it,” he said.

“When I first did my knee in my first year, it knocked me out for about 12 to 14 months. But there’s always positives to it with the negatives.

Kangaroos youngsters (from left) Mitchell Hibberd, Taylor Garner, Declan Mountford, Daniel Nielson and Jy Simpkin with Brent Harvey. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

“I came into the club being an average kick and I’ve improved on that. It gave me more time to get around everyone as well and get to know them over time — I’d say I’m more quiet as a person so it takes me a bit more time to get to know people but through that negative, it gave me a bit more time to do that.”

Nielson works closely with skills coach and club legend Brent Harvey, who is on hand in both mentoring and coaching.

He said the 432-game champion wasted no time in proving his worth, and remains a constant source to tap into.

“He’s just an inspiration,” the defender said.

“The way he goes about things is tiptop and his professionalism is through the roof.

“He was one of the first blokes when I was on the track for the first time that came up and started giving me advice and some tips to help through drills. He’s an asset to have around the club and to be around.”

Harvey works intimately with the likes of Nielson, Mitchell Hibberd, Taylor Garner, Declan Mountford and Jy Simpkin as the Kangaroos lay the foundations for the future with a promising crop of youth.

“There’s a lot of excitement around with a lot of the young guys coming through,” Nielson said.

“They’re all very talented in their own way. I think it’s going to be a very exciting time over this year and in the years to come.”