Nathan Bock doesn't want to look back at 2012, admitting it was the toughest year he's had in footy

GOLD Coast vice-captain Nathan Bock says 2012 was the toughest year he's had in footy.

GOLD Coast vice-captain Nathan Bock says 2012 was the toughest year he's had in footy.

It started with a two-week suspension stemming from a betting scandal the year before, then a broken leg and the jailing of his mother, Michelle, for drug trafficking, wrecked his season on and off the field.

"I'm happy to put this year in the back of the mind and concentrate on 2013," the 29-year-old Bock said.

"(2012) was obviously pretty draining and it was frustrating at the start of the season to miss those two games because of the suspension. Then I felt like it took me a few weeks to get into form and the game I really felt the best was the one against Fremantle when I ended up breaking my leg.

"Then obviously the stuff with Mum had been dragging on ... the year was mentally quite challenging and physically very challenging."

Bock, a month ahead of schedule in his rehab, resumed running last month.

"Initially I hadn't planned to start running until about Christmas but I've been running for about four or five weeks now," he said.

The former Crow holds hope of striding out on to Metricon Stadium in the Suns' season opener against St Kilda on March 30.