Sydney Swans AFL speedster Gary Rohan harbours hopes of playing senior football again this season after an encouraging return form a lengthy layoff, but coach John Longmire is taking a softly-softly approach.

In his first game in almost 15 months after suffering a broken leg, Rohan played around two thirds of the second half for the Swans reserves at the SCG on Sunday.

Playing mainly up forward, Rohan kicked 2.1 and logged nine kicks and a handball and three marks.

His first goal in the third quarter came from a mark and set shot and his second in the final term after he got the ball back following a strong run.

Renowned for his pace, Rohan made a couple of trademark dashes, though he was penalised on one occasion for carrying the ball too far without a bounce.

“I pulled up fine, no issues, it was really good to get back out there and snag a couple of goals, which was good,” Rohan said.

“There was a bit of nerves before the game… it felt like it was my first ever Swans game.”

While match fitness is an issue for Rohan, he hopes to add to his tally of 22 senior games before this season ends.

“If I get the game fitness in reserves, I’m sure I could play seniors,” Rohan said.

Longmire said Rohan looked really good, but emphasised it was just a small step.

He gave no clue as to whether he might use Rohan in the senior side at some stage of their premiership defence.

“I’ve just keep got to keep hoping he keeps pulling up well from these little small steps forward he takes,” Longmire said.

Rohan’s popularity among his peers was underlined by how many were present when he entered the game in the third quarter.

“There was probably more senior players out there than what there should have been,” Longmire said.

“They should have been preparing for the game but it just underlines how good it was to see him out there.”