To watch this video on YouTube click here.

YOUNG Fremantle star Nat Fyfe has targeted a round 18 return against Port Adelaide after undergoing a successful reconstruction of his injured left shoulder.

Fyfe had surgery in Melbourne on May 3 and returned to Fremantle on Friday to begin his rehabilitation after spending the past two weeks on his family's property in Western Australia's Lake Grace.

The 20-year-old said he was confident he could make his anticipated return in 10 weeks, in what is close to a best possible result for the classy midfielder, who finished runner-up in last year's best and fairest award.   

"I know how up in the air injuries can be and how things can change really quickly, so round 18 is my rough goal," Fyfe told AFL.com.au. "Either side of that would be quite handy.

"I'm really lucky that I have a chance to come back. Having that goal in mind really is going to stimulate me and help me in my rehab.

"I'm really keen to get back and play, but I'll just have to take it as it comes. I'll definitely grow in some ways from this injury."

Fyfe dislocated his left shoulder against the Brisbane Lions in round three and, after consulting with leading Melbourne orthopaedic surgeon Greg Hoy, he played against Carlton in round five.

The following Tuesday his left shoulder again dislocated at training when he reached out to corral a teammate, and Fremantle made an immediate decision for Fyfe to undergo surgery 48 hours later in Melbourne with Dr Hoy.

The operation was slightly different to the reconstruction Fyfe had at the end of the 2011 season, with a piece of bone relocated to the front of the shoulder to stop it falling out of its socket.

"It's a little bit more serious, but hopefully a shorter recovery time," Fyfe said. "They reckon it's a lot more stable … and the doctor has had really good results with previous patients.

"He's really confident with how it's going and I've got full faith in him.
 
"My last injury was probably an 18-week recovery period, but because it was in the off-season there was no real urgency to get back.

"Because I'm in a rush to get back, they'll be pushing a little bit harder. No risks, obviously, but definitely speeding the process up."

Fyfe began aerobic training on a bike and cross trainer on Friday and will also be able to do lower body weights immediately as well as gym work with his right arm.

In two weeks he will start running on Fremantle's state-of-the-art treadmill, which supports 30 per cent of the player's body weight, before proper running one week later.

In four weeks he will be able to lift weights with his left arm, but marking, handballing and absorbing impact remain two months away.

"There's a new bone in there and they just have to wait for the union to heal before I can take any impact on it," he said. "Full training in two months is the plan."

Fyfe averaged 25 disposals in 21 games last season and appeared poised to take the next step in his career, earning 10 AFL Coaches' Association votes in Fremantle's round one win over Geelong at Patersons Stadium.

Contested marking is a key feature of the right footer's arsenal, and he said West Coast forward Josh Kennedy's ability to rebound from the same operation and maintain his marking ability gave him confidence.

"He still takes a pretty reasonable overhead mark," Fyfe said of Kennedy. "[Eagle] Andrew Embley is also going to be a good guinea pig I suppose, just to see how his surgery and rehab goes.

"I'm a couple of weeks behind him, so I'll be keeping an eye on how he goes."

Fyfe said his shoulders were naturally quite "lax", and there would always be the risk of future dislocations. 
 
But while he couldn't receive a 100 per cent guarantee from Dr Hoy, he said he wouldn't be changing the way he plays the game when he does return later this season.

"It's really hard to make a mental change to how you attack the game," he said. "Footy is such a reactive sport. 

"I think the biggest change is going to have to be in the gym. If I can strengthen all the muscles around my weak shoulders then hopefully that will hold it in place."

Nathan Schmook covers Fremantle news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Nathan