"All those injuries," Cridge recalled.
Knee and shoulder injuries saw him miss the Magpies 2015 season.
In 2016 the two-time New Zealand Under-20 rep and one-time world champion was a poplar choice for the MVP and Players Player awards at the Magpies end-of-season awards function.
However, more surgery prevented Cridge from any Super appearances in 2017 and another knee injury, suffered in October last year, ruined his hopes of playing for the Canes this year.
But when the Hurricanes medical staff helped with his rehab this year he was able to spend plenty of time with the Canes squad and keep up to date with game plans.
"That means I should be able to get straight back into it this time," Cridge added.
Magpies head coach Mark Ozich was delighted for Cridge, a Christchurch Boys' High School old boy who grew up in Darfield, a small town 35km west of Christchurch and said his comebacks were an example for younger players to learn from.
"You've got to hang in there and hang tough. It must have been so frustrating for him at times. At the same time he still has a long way to go to fulfil his potential. It can only bode well if he can stay injury free," Ozich said.
Ozich was equally as thrilled for 19-year-old halfback Folau Fakatava, who has been selected for the Highlanders after just one season of Mitre 10 Cup rugby, and as a deputy to former All Blacks No 9 Brad Weber, after playing for the national title-winning Hastings Boys' High School 1st XV.
"I'm so rapt for Folau. He has decided to chase his dream of playing for the All Blacks despite being pursued by Tonga."
Eleven members of this season's Magpies squad will play Super Rugby next year.
Ozich added former All Blacks outside back Israel Dagg and long-serving Magpies utility back Richard Buckman to the Bay's list of Super players for next year as they will play for the Magpies again if their international commitments allow.
Ozich confirmed Maori All Blacks hooker Ash Dixon and prop Ben May will be back with the Magpies next year after again being named in their respective Highlanders and Hurricanes teams.
In addition to the fully contracted players Baby Blacks loosie Devan Flanders has scored an apprenticeship contract with the Hurricanes similar to the one Cridge had in 2014.
Ozich agreed there were some unlucky Magpies and the one he felt for the most was the team's player of the year, lock Tom Parsons.
"If there was an injury or two you would be hard pressed to find a more suitable replacement after the form he has produced throughout the Mitre 10 Cup season. He is up there with the best when it comes to reading space and making the right calls. He would be a good get this year for next year."
Ozich pointed out prop Joe Apikotoa and fullback JJ Taulagi were also unlucky not to secure contracts.
He said Apikotoa had a solid season and shone with his impact while Taulagi, a former Queensland Reds and Japan Sunwolves player, was among the best in the Mitre 10 Cup on the defenders beaten statistics.
Former Magpies halfback Jonathan Ruru scored a Blues contract for the second consecutive season and Hawke's Bay age group product, outside back Bailyn Sullivan, scored a full Chiefs contract after playing for the team this year on an injury cover deal.
Hawke's Bay's Super players for 2019:
Hurricanes: Jonah Lowe, Gareth Evans, Geoff Cridge, Ben May.
Chiefs: Brodie Retallick, Michael Allardice, Brad Weber, Tiaan Falcon.
Highlanders: Ash Dixon, Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, Folau Fakatava, Richard Buckman.
Crusaders: Israel Dagg.
