Nearly nine months after having serious surgery to remove a piece of pelvic bone, Sam Shaw can see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.

Shaw has been limited to 22 AFL games since being recruited by the Crows at the end of 2009. The majority of the luckless defender’s injury issues have centred on his troublesome hamstring.

After being limited to six AFL matches last season because of an ongoing hamstring complaint, the 2012 Rising Star nominee sought out the advice of a specialist, who recommended a rare and complex procedure to correct the chronic problem.

“About six or seven years ago, before I came into the AFL system I had what’s called a hamstring avulsion playing local footy,” Shaw told The Crows Show.

“Basically, what happens is the hamstring tendon pulls where it connects to your pelvic bone, and it pulls a bit of the bone away. When I was 16-years-old, I had that screwed back down.

“Over time, that join where the bone was reconnected had essentially deteriorated and got to a stage where it wasn’t going to be sustainable with the way in which I was training. I wasn’t able to back it up week by week. It was essentially like playing with a fracture within my pelvic area.

“At the end of last season, I went up to Sydney and saw a surgeon. He cut away a five centimetre piece of bone where my hamstring was connected, so they cut the tendon off that bit of bone as well and reattached that to the rest of the pelvis.”

The “significant” surgery required a prolonged period of rest.

When Shaw was able to start training, he was placed on a modified training program, which enabled him to slowly increase his workload.

He spent the majority of the pre-season training alongside fellow backman Andy Otten, who had a knee reconstruction around the same time as Shaw’s surgery.

“It’s definitely difficult being apart from the main group. This pre-season, it was helpful having Andy Otten around too … we’ve been pushing each other along in rehab,” Shaw said.

“Seeing everyone pushing themselves to the limit and not being able to be a part of it is frustrating, especially building the foundations with a new coach and new system this year. There can be lonely moments. I remember doing a three-kilometre swim by myself one day and I was feeling a bit flat!

“But everyone at the Club is really supportive and every player goes through it at some period. It’s rare for someone to go through their whole career without having some sort of significant injury.”

Shaw is nearing the pointy end of the pain-staking rehabilitation process.

The left-footer is joining in select drills with the main training group and, with a bit of luck, aims to be available for SANFL selection in about a month.

Still only 24-years-old, Shaw hopes the corrective surgery will help him reignite his AFL career.

“I’m getting pretty close and doing some training with the main group,” he said.

“Hopefully, I can be back in about a month’s time playing at State League level and getting some match fitness through there.

“My goal has never wavered at any point, or any time. I’m fully committed to getting back to 100 per cent fitness and playing AFL.”

Watch Sam Shaw's full interview on The Crows Show by clicking the play button above