Against North Melbourne, the 21-year-old played his first game in 401 days and kicked his maiden AFL goal 848 days after making his debut.
The goal came in the third term as Appleby found himself on the end of chain of Pies’ handballs before kicking truly from about 15m out.
As he kicked, a North Melbourne player pushed him in the back, but the umpire paid advantage meaning the goal stood.
“I didn’t know what he (the umpire) was going to do, call it back or something,” he told the Collingwood club website.
“I’m just glad it went through.”
In his previous 10 games, Appleby had largely been used as a defender but with Collingwood’s forward structure decimated by injuries in 2020 a change in position led to his latest opportunity at senior level.
“It was great to be back,” he said.
“(I’ve) changed roles – been up forward this year, a bit of a change from being down back.
“(I) really enjoyed playing with a new group of people and we really needed the win.
“I was really grateful we could get over the top.”
With no VFL football, non-selected players have been forced to push their case in smaller side matches.
And some games have seen multiple clubs merge together to field a side.
“I’ve been patiently working away in the practice matches and hoping the opportunity would come up,” Appleby said.
“I’m really grateful to get the opportunity to play again – be back here, it’s been over a year now.
“I’m glad to be back and get that first snag on the board.
“I was pretty happy.”
Appleby finished the night with nine disposals, kicking 1.2 while he also put a snapped effort on goal out on the full.
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