ENDURING Melbourne’s start to the season has not been easy for anyone with red and blue running through their veins.
Coach Mark Neeld has copped plenty of scrutiny from the media et al and the players have taken a whack. Supporters are doing it hard.
For Mark Jamar, now in his 11th season with the Demons, it hasn’t been an easy ride.
Melbourne’s third oldest player, behind Brad Green and Aaron Davey, has experienced plenty of ups and downs at the club, but is remaining upbeat, despite the difficult times.
“I’ve only played in two finals, [but] I’ve been here for four finals series over my time,” he said.
“I’ve been in a lot of tough times and I think you come out of it stronger and appreciate the good times.
“I’m like everyone else in the club at the moment - working my arse off, and working really hard to try and turn that wheel.”
Reflecting on the 101-point loss to Sydney Swans at the SCG last Saturday, Jamar said the following days had “been a big one for all the disappointing and wrong reasons”.
“The important thing is that we’re sticking together and identifying the areas we must work on and we’re ironing out those kinks and we’re better for it this week,” he said.
The ruckman added that the review from last round had been “intense, thorough and really honest”.
“As a club, we’ve been that way since Mark [Neeld] took over and it will continue to be that way. So it’s all about identifying what we have to work on and get in our game and what we have to get out of our game,” he said.
Jamar, who was inducted into the leadership group for the first time this year, said it had been an eye-opening experience and one he was relishing.
“From the word go, I’ve really enjoyed it and it’s been challenging and difficult,” he said.
“I’m not someone who’s got all the answers right away and [I'm not] really outspoken. But if I’ve got the time to go away and make some notes and prepare things, I can come back to individuals or the group and present what I think.
“I’ve been improving slowly as I’ve been going and I’ve got so much more scope to improve, so I’m really looking forward to that.”
Since his appointment, Jamar said he had to become an “unconditional leader”.
“Gone are the days where you could come in and be a bit flat and be quiet and be a bit down, because you haven’t played well,” Jamar said.
“It means all the time, no matter what, you’re a leader of the club and you need to represent yourself well, your team well and your whole club well.
“Whether it’s the standards in the gym, on the training track or just the way you are around the club - and especially game day, [it's] a big responsibility.”
Jamar, who has had 40 or more hit outs in four matches this season (including a career-best 55 against St Kilda in round five), was pleased with this aspect of his game. But the 2010 All-Australian wants to build on his disposals and contested marking.
“I’ve been able to get those good numbers. I do pride myself on my hit outs and unlike 2010, I’m lacking in around the ground involvement - whether that’s the way the game is being played or whether it’s something I need to adjust,” he said.
“I need more tackles and I need to get more follow up possessions. I’m a good contested mark … but it’s just putting myself in the right positions to give myself the chance to do it.
“Getting forward a couple of times in the last few weeks has been good. I’ve had some opportunities, so [I’m] building on that, then the rest will take care of itself.”
Jamar, who falls under the free agent bracket this year, said he was solely focused on his football at the moment and would let his management take care of his future.
“As a player, you’ve just got to let your manager look after it, because you pay him four per cent of your salary,” he said.
“So that’s his job and your job as a player is to play footy. As long as you’re giving your all and your utmost to your club - then no one can question you.
“I think I’ve done that the last 11 years and I’m going to keep doing it.”
But the 28-year-old said he wasn’t sure how many more years he had in the game, although he was aiming to play for as long as possible.
“I’ll be 29 by the end of the season. I think [I have] four or five more seasons [in me]. I know I may be 34 by the time I finish up, but I’m recovering really well each week and pulling up well,” he said.
“[Elite performance manager] Dave Misson has set the new recovery standards in the pool and we’re doing recovery twice a day - every day basically. On my days off, I do extra recovery and I’m just feeling great.
“I want to keep going for as long as I can and you almost don’t want to put a time limit on it, but I love playing footy. I just love it.
“We’re in a good facility now - who wouldn’t want to be here for another five years or so?”
For Jamar, his immediate goal is for the team to achieve some strong form against Carlton at the MCG this Sunday, then Essendon and Collingwood before the mid-season break.
“You’ve just got to throw everything at it. We’re training at a really high standard and we’re looking to improve each week. Playing against the big boys is a test of where you’re really at,” he said.
“I think it comes down to passion and pride and your work-ethic. On any given day, any team can beat any team and that’s the way the competition is these days.
“It’s about your desire, your effort and your work-rate while you’re out there.”
Coach Mark Neeld has copped plenty of scrutiny from the media et al and the players have taken a whack. Supporters are doing it hard.
For Mark Jamar, now in his 11th season with the Demons, it hasn’t been an easy ride.
Melbourne’s third oldest player, behind Brad Green and Aaron Davey, has experienced plenty of ups and downs at the club, but is remaining upbeat, despite the difficult times.
“I’ve only played in two finals, [but] I’ve been here for four finals series over my time,” he said.
“I’ve been in a lot of tough times and I think you come out of it stronger and appreciate the good times.
“I’m like everyone else in the club at the moment - working my arse off, and working really hard to try and turn that wheel.”
Reflecting on the 101-point loss to Sydney Swans at the SCG last Saturday, Jamar said the following days had “been a big one for all the disappointing and wrong reasons”.
“The important thing is that we’re sticking together and identifying the areas we must work on and we’re ironing out those kinks and we’re better for it this week,” he said.
The ruckman added that the review from last round had been “intense, thorough and really honest”.
“As a club, we’ve been that way since Mark [Neeld] took over and it will continue to be that way. So it’s all about identifying what we have to work on and get in our game and what we have to get out of our game,” he said.
Jamar, who was inducted into the leadership group for the first time this year, said it had been an eye-opening experience and one he was relishing.
“From the word go, I’ve really enjoyed it and it’s been challenging and difficult,” he said.
“I’m not someone who’s got all the answers right away and [I'm not] really outspoken. But if I’ve got the time to go away and make some notes and prepare things, I can come back to individuals or the group and present what I think.
“I’ve been improving slowly as I’ve been going and I’ve got so much more scope to improve, so I’m really looking forward to that.”
Since his appointment, Jamar said he had to become an “unconditional leader”.
“Gone are the days where you could come in and be a bit flat and be quiet and be a bit down, because you haven’t played well,” Jamar said.
“It means all the time, no matter what, you’re a leader of the club and you need to represent yourself well, your team well and your whole club well.
“Whether it’s the standards in the gym, on the training track or just the way you are around the club - and especially game day, [it's] a big responsibility.”
Jamar, who has had 40 or more hit outs in four matches this season (including a career-best 55 against St Kilda in round five), was pleased with this aspect of his game. But the 2010 All-Australian wants to build on his disposals and contested marking.
“I’ve been able to get those good numbers. I do pride myself on my hit outs and unlike 2010, I’m lacking in around the ground involvement - whether that’s the way the game is being played or whether it’s something I need to adjust,” he said.
“I need more tackles and I need to get more follow up possessions. I’m a good contested mark … but it’s just putting myself in the right positions to give myself the chance to do it.
“Getting forward a couple of times in the last few weeks has been good. I’ve had some opportunities, so [I’m] building on that, then the rest will take care of itself.”
Jamar, who falls under the free agent bracket this year, said he was solely focused on his football at the moment and would let his management take care of his future.
“As a player, you’ve just got to let your manager look after it, because you pay him four per cent of your salary,” he said.
“So that’s his job and your job as a player is to play footy. As long as you’re giving your all and your utmost to your club - then no one can question you.
“I think I’ve done that the last 11 years and I’m going to keep doing it.”
But the 28-year-old said he wasn’t sure how many more years he had in the game, although he was aiming to play for as long as possible.
“I’ll be 29 by the end of the season. I think [I have] four or five more seasons [in me]. I know I may be 34 by the time I finish up, but I’m recovering really well each week and pulling up well,” he said.
“[Elite performance manager] Dave Misson has set the new recovery standards in the pool and we’re doing recovery twice a day - every day basically. On my days off, I do extra recovery and I’m just feeling great.
“I want to keep going for as long as I can and you almost don’t want to put a time limit on it, but I love playing footy. I just love it.
“We’re in a good facility now - who wouldn’t want to be here for another five years or so?”
For Jamar, his immediate goal is for the team to achieve some strong form against Carlton at the MCG this Sunday, then Essendon and Collingwood before the mid-season break.
“You’ve just got to throw everything at it. We’re training at a really high standard and we’re looking to improve each week. Playing against the big boys is a test of where you’re really at,” he said.
“I think it comes down to passion and pride and your work-ethic. On any given day, any team can beat any team and that’s the way the competition is these days.
“It’s about your desire, your effort and your work-rate while you’re out there.”
