Luke Dahlhaus claims he is lacking a bit in fitness since his return from injury, but you wouldn’t know it from his performances.

Since returning from a five match lay-off, Dahlhaus has racked up an average of 27 touches per game and has been named in the best both weeks.

Not bad for someone who was ‘tonguing it a bit’ in the first half by his own admission.

As competitors go, they don’t get much more manic than the 23-year-old Dahlhaus, so it was understandable that he found it difficult to watch on from the stands between rounds 13-18.

“I’m just so happy to be back,” he told wesernbulldogs.com.au post-match.

“Sitting on the sidelines, especially when we lose… I’m just happy to come in and have some sort of influence.”

Saturday night’s physical contest with the Kanagaroos was the sort of game that’s made for a player of Dahlhaus’ ilk, and you get the sense he enjoyed the physical challenge from the opposition.

“It was pretty brutal,” he said, smiling.

“It was a bit like rumble in the jungle at times but they’re a tough inside midfield but so are we.

“They took it up to us but we took it up more to them more but we ran out the game and we were much better on the day.”

But with a short turnaround, the focus has already shifted to Collingwood on Friday night.

“It’s a short one, a six-day break, so we’ll have a bit of a rest tonight and tomorrow and get into it Monday and jump in the ice baths and get ready for them.”

“Exciting.  Friday night.”