Andrew Swan returns to play 100th first grade game for Queanbeyan Tigers

Swan will play his 100th AFL Canberra first grade game when he runs out for the Queanbeyan Tigers against Eastlake at Queanbeyan on Sunday.

He last played for the Tigers in 2016, before signing up with NEAFL team Canberra Demons.

A knee reconstruction has kept him on the sidelines for the past year, meaning he's been stuck just short of the milestone.

The 26-year-old was forced to have surgery last season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament for the second time.

But Swan will be back and ready to fire for the first-placed Tigers against the Demons.

"It's been a long 12-months and to finally get the go ahead to play again is just great," Swan said.

"I had a few dramas during the first three months [after surgery], but the last six months the knee has come on in leaps and bounds."

Swan first ruptured his ACL six years ago and opted to have Ligament Advanced Reinforcement System surgery because of the quicker recovery time.

But the artificial ligament used began to fail midway through last season, forcing Swan to undergo a traditional reconstruction.

"LARS surgery has a tendency to break down and mine broke down and ruptured again," Swan said.

"[My knee] kept getting worse last season so I got it checked out and there was nothing there, the ligament wasn't attached to anything.

"That's when I decided to go under the knife again."

Swan is still contracted to the Demons and should return to them in the coming weeks.

But Queanbeyan coach Adrian Pavese says the versatile forward will provide a massive boost to the Tigers, even if his presence is only short lived.

"There's a real buzz around the club with [Swan's] return," Pavese said.

"He's a spiritual leader, a former captain, he means a lot to the club and I know the club means a lot to him."

AFL CANBERRA ROUND 8

Saturday: Tuggeranong Hawks v Belconnen Magpies at Greenway, 1.15pm.

Sunday: Queanbeyan Tigers v Eastlake Demons at Queanbeyan, 1.15pm.