SAM Blease has had a testing start to the season. Just ask him.
Blease, who played 16 of his 26 AFL matches in 2012, has made just five appearances entering round 14.
On Saturday night against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG, Blease will play just his third match in a row for the season.
It’s an unexpected return, given injuries, which plagued him early in his career, haven’t been an issue in 2013. Instead, he has spent much of his season with Casey and it hasn’t been easy for the 22-year-old to endure.
“At the time, I thought it was the worst thing ever and I was frustrated,” Blease told melbournefc.com.au.
“I wasn’t enjoying my footy as much as I was, but looking back on it, it was worthwhile going back to the VFL to refine a few areas of my game, which the coaches thought would help me in the long run.
“It was a bigger picture thing, so it doesn’t hold me back when I’m 24 or 25. I feel since going back to Casey, I’ve been able to develop that side of my game, without the pressures of AFL footy.”
Again, Blease was sent back to the VFL to work on the defensive side of his game – an area he has been scrutinised in recent times. Although adamant he has improved, new coach Neil Craig has already told him to keep developing his defensive traits, which will help him switch between the forward line and midfield.
“Craigy’s similar to when Neeldy was here. Craigy wants me to play a little bit up forward and on the wing, so I’ll try and be that pressure forward and kick a few goals. Then I’ll go up on the wing and provide a bit of run and carry,” he said.
“I’m hoping to get a bit [more opportunity] on the wing and I think that’s where I’ll end up playing, once I can get my fitness right up there. At the moment, I’m enjoying playing in the forward line under [forward line coach] Leigh Brown.
“It doesn’t bother me either way where I play, but if I had a preference it’d be on the wing.”
But Blease conceded he got “a little bit” frustrated when the defensive side of his game was continually highlighted as an issue, when his ability to break the lines and provide an element not common in Melbourne’s side was not backed in more.
“It’s just one of those of things. We can be a really good defensive side and our offensive game will come from that. If I can help the team defensively, hopefully, it’s going to give us more opportunities to provide the offensive stuff,” he said.
“We’re not at a stage, like a Geelong, Collingwood or Hawthorn, where their defensive system is working that well and their offense almost takes over, if that makes sense.
“We’ve really got to start working on a good defensive base and that offensive game will come a lot quicker than people might think.”
Blease said it had been “interesting times” seeing another coach depart, given he has now had four coaches in five years.
“It’s definitely not ideal, but as players, we can only implement what the coaches are trying to put across, so we’re trying to do that week in week out, no matter who’s coaching us,” he said.
“Ideally, you’d like a bit more stability, but it is what it is and as a player, we’ve just got to play a role for our side.
“I’m trying to play my role and help win games for the footy club, but Craigy (Neil Craig) has been good since he’s taken over from Neeldy (Mark Neeld).”