Gary Rohan is ready to add some spice to the Sydney Swans' forward mix in the second half of the year after a hamstring injury cruelled his start to 2016.

The unlucky Swan has endured a frustrating run with injury since his terrible broken leg in 2012, and he was ruled out for two months earlier this year with a nagging hamstring injury.

The 24-year-old returned to the Swans' senior team against Hawthorn on Friday night after a month in the club's NEAFL side and starred with three valuable goals in a low-scoring affair.

His lightning speed and nous in attack added something different to the club's forward line and Rohan said he entered the game with no inhibitions about running at full tilt despite his hamstring woes.

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"I felt really good. I've obviously missed a good chunk of the season but I had a really good pre-season and I feel good in my body, and a lot stronger. I was confident coming into the game that I could just play my role and I was happy in the end," he told AFL.com.au after the Swans' 14-point victory.

"I did a big chunk of work with our weights coach and my hamstrings are at full strength now. They're probably the strongest they've ever been, so I'm really confident I can bounce back from it and try to have a good last half of the year."

Rohan's pace was on show in the second term, when teammate Lance Franklin marked on the wing and spotted Rohan running into an unmanned forward-50.

Franklin sent a precision pass in front of Rohan, who bolted past Jordan Lewis to stream into an open goal. His third goal, in the third term, was also from close range after outmarking Taylor Duryea and then streaking into the goalsquare to convert his shot.

Rohan said as soon as Franklin swiveled onto his left foot he knew what the superstar forward had in mind.

"I knew he was passing it to me as soon as I saw him turn around. I saw the grass and just went for it," he said.

"It's so exciting when he gets the ball – he either kicks a goal himself or gives it off to another teammate so he's really selfless."

Rohan's stint in the NEAFL saw him blow out the fitness cobwebs, and he said he was ready to return to the senior side having battled to watch recent games involving his team, particularly last week's after-the-siren defeat to Richmond.

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"I've struggled. I'm not the best person to watch footy, especially last week against Richmond. I changed the channels a couple of times and need to walk outside," he said.

"Even at home games I have to get up and go for a walk – I'm not the best at sitting down and watching so it's good to be back."

Coach John Longmire described Rohan's return as "fantastic", saying the Swans had missed his presence during his absence from the team.

"We're glad to get him back. His pressure in the front half was huge and his ability to be able to play back and forward, and tonight forward, was great," Longmire said.

"We missed him earlier on in the year and we've still got Sam Reid to come back as well, and we look forward to getting him back at some point. We think Gary gives us that little bit of x-factor that doesn't hurt us."