Robert Campbell Biography

Former Hawthorn ruckman Robert Campbell could be promoted to Melbourne's senior list given the club only has one veteran.

"I think it depends on what is happening with our rucks at that stage," Demons assistant coach Josh Mahoney said.

"There is an opportunity there for any of our rookie list players to be upgraded at any stage because we only have the one veteran now. If it ends up being Robbie then that will be great for him."

Former Hawk and new Melbourne recruit Robert Campbell says he is getting used to being a demon.

"It's still a little surreal at the moment getting up each morning and taking my Melbourne bag and going off to training," Campbell said.

"I've only been here a week or so. At the moment, I'm just getting to know the guys and the way they play and it's been really enjoyable."

Melbourne recruit Robert Campbell says he has absolute faith in his knee despite it forcing his early retirement at Hawthorn.

"I just kept training and my leg kept pulling up really well," Campbell said.

"I'm the kind of person that wouldn't put himself out there if I didn't feel I could definitely do it, so I'm really confident.

"It's something that I suppose I've been striving for all year but for the day to actually turn up and for it to actually happen, it's a bit crazy but I'm very excited."

Ex-Hawthorn premiership ruckman Robert Campbell has missed out on being pre-listed by Gold Coast, but says his sights were always on next month's draft.

"The injury is still present but if I have constant training going through it and constant load on it, it actually copes with it really well. That's where I'm situated this year," he said about his chronic knee injury that forced him out of football.

"I trained through January and I was able to get through nine games at the end of the year and it coped with it really well, because I had that constant training and constant load going through it all the time.

"If I had an AFL program, not just me getting up at 6am every morning to do it myself but actually within a program, I'm confident I'll be able to stand up."

Hawthorn ruckman Robbie Campbell announces his retirement at the club's best and fairest dinner.

"You're told from the start of your career that footy is a ruthless business, and you are never under any illusion," Campbell said.

"Since 2005 I knew that I have had a degenerative knee condition, and I had thought at that time my career might be cut short, then and there.

"I will be eternally grateful for the faith Clarko and his coaching group showed in me - to allow me to continue playing footy - and ultimately play in a premiership team."

The probable return of Robert Campbell is set to spare Hawthorn from being dangerously exposed in the ruck by Sydney on Saturday.