Jared Rivers (No.27)

Career
Debut: 2003
Career matches: 128
Career goals: 5
 
2011
Matches: 20
Goals: 1
Kicks: 130
Marks: 88
Handballs: 143
Disposals: 273
Tackles: 51

Todd Viney’s season assessment
Jared had a really consistent year - one of the best of his career - as a tall defender.

Round-by-round assessment
Comments made by 2011 Melbourne coaching staff members Mark Williams, Brad Gotch and Kelly O’Donnell

AFL: Round 1 v Sydney Swans
Jared played deep on Sydney’s taller forwards. He played almost 100 per cent of the match and was solid without starring. Mark Williams

AFL: Round 2 v Hawthorn
Jared was outstanding with his attack on the ball and his ability to switch the ball. He defended really well. Mark Williams

AFL: Round 3 v Brisbane Lions
Jared played one of the best games I’ve ever seen him play. His ability to drop off and mark was outstanding. His spoiling and aggression at the ball was also fantastic. Mark Williams

AFL: Round 4 v Gold Coast Suns
Jared played in front on occasions and a couple of times lacked some intensity. But once again, the conditions were tough for defenders, so it didn’t take much to be out of position or lose a contest. Overall, Jared was solid. Mark Williams

AFL: Round 5 - Bye  

AFL: Round 6 v West Coast Eagles
Jared was solid, without being outstanding. He was involved in some good one-on-one contests and was one player who switched the ball really well. Mark Williams
 
AFL: Round 7 v Adelaide Crows   
Injured: ankle

AFL: Round 8 v North Melbourne
Injured: ankle

AFL: Round 9 v St Kilda
Jared was solid. He had some great tussles with the St Kilda talls. His distribution of the ball and his switching was excellent. Jared’s run-and-carry was also very good and his leadership was fantastic. Mark Williams  

AFL: Round 10 v Carlton
Jared was solid down back, given the number of times the ball was in the back half. He had four spoils one-on-one and switched the ball very well. Mark Williams

AFL: Round 11 v Essendon
I hadn’t seen Jared play too many better matches than what he did against Essendon. He beat the big blokes one-on-one and I don’t think he had a mark taken on him. He switched the play really well and his physicality was fantastic. His leadership also shone through. Mark Williams

AFL: Round 12 v Collingwood
We didn’t give Jared enough support. He was beaten by Travis Cloke one-on-one. But he showed great maturity and concentration by maintaining his aggression and intensity to stay involved in the game. Mark Williams

AFL: Round 13 v Fremantle
Jared again didn’t have a big possession game, but played an important role for the team. He continued to lead the backline with voice and direction. His spoiling was a highlight and created many counter-attack opportunities. He switched play consistently and used the ball intelligently. Mark Williams
 
AFL: Round 14 v Richmond
Jared had 13 spoils, which showed his defensive game was outstanding. He continued to play out in front and make the play, which was a great example for all our backs. His ball use was again efficient, and his direction and leadership were invaluable to those around him. Mark Williams
 
AFL: Round 15 v Western Bulldogs
Jared held up well under pressure. He contested well one-on-one, and took some strong marks. His tackling and spoiling, as always, were highlights. Mark Williams
 
AFL: Round 16 - Bye
 
AFL: Round 17 v Port Adelaide
This was a solid game by Jared. He was in very good form. His defensive work was outstanding with 10 spoils, and he won the ball very well at ground level. His switching out of defence, as well as his voice and direction, were highlights. Mark Williams
 
AFL: Round 18 v Hawthorn
Jared had nine intercept marks and switched the ball really well. He defended feverishly with 10 spoils. He continued his very good form. Mark Williams  

AFL: Round 19 v Geelong Cats
He was frustrated for the whole match, but he continued to work and defend hard. Mark Williams
 
AFL: Round 20 v Carlton
Jared’s defensive game was solid. He had 13 spoils and took several intercept marks deep inside 50, when he played in front. He switched the play really well, but got out-marked on a couple of occasions by bigger and stronger opponents. Mark Williams

AFL: Round 21 v West Coast Eagles
Jared was once again very solid defensively. His third man support, particularly in the air, was excellent. He had seven spoils. But there were times when Jared allowed his opponent too much room up the ground. He was one of our better defenders when taking the game on. Mark Williams

AFL: Round 22 v Richmond
Jared defended really well one-on-one and continued his solid form from the past month. But he needed to keep leading from the front. His switch of play and ball use started many of our counter-attacks. His intercept marking over the past month was a highlight. Mark Williams
 
AFL: Round 23 v Gold Coast Suns
Defensively you couldn’t question Jared’s effort. But when he was third man in, he didn’t always have an impact. Offensively, he wasn’t in the play a great deal, so he didn’t have much opportunity to win the ball. Mark Williams
 
AFL: Round 24 v Port Adelaide
Jared was outstanding on John Butcher, who had no influence on the game and didn’t hit the scoreboard. He spoiled aggressively and switched play at every opportunity. Once again, he had a very solid game. Mark Williams