Western Bulldogs midfielder Adam Cooney has rediscovered the zip that has been missing for at least the past two AFL seasons.

The 2008 Brownlow Medallist picked up 31 disposals – his highest since round two, 2011, and kicked a goal in Saturday’s loss to Fremantle.

But more significant than those statistics were the bursts of speed and agility that he regularly showed and his growing confidence to take on opponents.

Those attributes went missing in the past two seasons as he was hampered by the lingering toll of a kneecap fracture sustained in late 2008.

But boosted by an off-season without surgery, his first since the injury, and his ability to complete most of pre-season training, his confidence in his knee and ability to move freely have risen greatly.

“It would have been two or three years since I’ve been feeling as good as I have been,” Cooney said after Saturday’s game.

“In 2009 I had another pre-season where I did a fair amount of work and in 2010 I was able to have a pretty good year then.

“But 2011 and 2012, we’ll write them off and look forward to the next six months.”