When Collingwood star Paul Medhurst left Fremantle two years ago, his career looked to be heading nowhere.
After all he had just missed out on the Dockers' charge to the 2006 preliminary final because of poor form, despite having been a regular member of the side from 2002-05.
But when the 26-year-old returns to face his former club in Perth for the first time on Friday night, Medhurst will arrive as one of the best forwards in the AFL and one of the favourites to win the Copeland Trophy for Collingwood's best and fairest this year.
No wonder Medhurst couldn't be happier with the way his career has been revitialised since moving to Collingwood - where he just agreed a new, two-year deal which will keep him at the Lexus Centre until the end of 2010.
"It's definitely the best move footy wise I could have made," he said of his shift to Collingwood.
"I am loving my time here and I am looking forward to another two years."
Medhurst, who has not only kicked 48 goals this season but gathered nearly 100 more possessions this year than in any other season, gives the credit for his greater consistency at Collingwood - compared to Fremantle - down to the Pies veteran coach Mick Malthouse.
"Mick has been good and all along he has been crucial in that for me," Medhurst said on Tuesday.
"He has given me more of an opportunity to develop my game here than I could at Fremantle."
As a result Medhurst has not only become one of the AFL's best small forwards but is the new darling of the Magpie hordes. His memories of playing in countless losing matches at the MCG for Fremantle - where he was often accused of playing poorly and not living up to the form he showed for the Dockers in home matches - now seems a distant memory.
"I love the MCG - it's definitely my favourite ground," Medhurst said.
"And I love playing in front of the big crowds that we luckily get every week at Collingwood and the (Collingwood) supporters have been great to me - I love them."
But Medhurst has to pinch himself to believe he could be a chance to win Collingwood's best and fairest award - just two years after his career looked headed for the scrapheap.
"I don't know if I would be the favourite but it would be great to win it," he said.
"If someone had said to me a couple of years ago you would win a best and fairest or be in the mix, I would have thought I had made the transition back to WAFL footy pretty well."
But instead Medhurst is now a genuine AFL star but is hoping he won't get too heated a reception on his return to Subiaco on Friday night - where he was traded to allow the Dockers to get Collingwood spearhead Chris Tarrant.
"Anyone who was up to speed on the dynamics of that trade will know I didn't have a heap of say in what went on and if people bear that in mind, (hopefully) they will go easy on me," he said.
"But I wouldn't want to be sitting next to my mum if they do boo me because they might end up with a lapful of chips."