IN THE COMING weeks, all AFL clubs will be refining their lists.

Some players across the competition will already have had their futures decided. Others will be playing for it.

This is no different at Melbourne.

Following Melbourne’s 54 point loss to North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Saturday, coach Mark Neeld touched on the issue. 

Although finals are well and truly out of the equation, he also doesn’t want the season to peter out knowing that there are “always things to play for at elite level AFL footy”.

But he is realistic enough to know that some players will be fighting to remain on the list for 2013 and beyond.

He said there was no ulterior motive, but just the reality that lists must be turned out and worked out by season’s end, and in the lead up to post-season list lodgments. 

“It is what it is,” Neeld said.

“It doesn’t matter whether it’s AFL footy or going to the Olympics - you’re part of the team and you either behave yourself into it, or you behave yourself out of it.

“It’s just a fact and there’s no warning or hidden agenda - it is what it is.”

One player is acutely aware that the rest of the season is a crucial period. And he is doing his utmost to remain a Demon for the long term.

But for ruckman Jake Spencer, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing in his quest.

Spencer injured his knee in the VFL in May 2012, and after an interrupted pre-season, which forced him to miss the opening two rounds of 2012, he resumed for Casey in April this year.

Co-captain Jack Grimes recently spoke of Spencer’s attitude and desire to make it back from his injury. Big blokes often take longer anyway, but given the 203 cm tall’s injury, patience has had to be part of the equation. But now the shackles have been released, he’s determined to show his wares.

In fact, he has played four of the past five matches in the absence of injured ruckman Mark Jamar. And each week, he has made progress. 

“I’ve been pretty fortunate. I wasn’t playing too well in the VFL and big ‘Russian’ (Jamar) went down, so it gave me that opportunity. It’s probably do or die for me now, so I’ll keep having a crack and see how we go,” he said.

“The body is starting to feel good, but in the first half of the year I didn’t have a lot of confidence. I was pretty flat, but now I’ve got a bit more confidence in the body and I’m starting to run games out.

“You need that whole pre-season and I missed a fair chunk of it with my knee, so hopefully I’m still here in three months’ time and I can have a real crack at the pre-season.”

Against the Roos, Spencer achieved a career best 27 hit outs. He shared the load with forward/ruckman Stef Martin against North Melbourne big man Todd Goldstein. Although Goldstein won the battle, Spencer showed some promising signs.

And even he has felt his confidence increase from this time a month ago. Now he simply wants to keep building on it. And he’s not taking his latest opportunity for granted. 

“You look at it and the injury itself - it’s the best thing in the world that can happen to you, because it can open your eyes,” he said.

“I wasn’t up to the standard I needed to be at this level, and I really tried hard to turn that around with recovery, physio and the finer details. It really makes you appreciate the game and your spot on the list a lot more.

“It’s good to not be completely blown out of the water at the top level and [know that I can] match it with these guys, but I still need that pre-season to finish off games. You get tired and you’re not as conditioned as you need to be.”

With five matches remaining in the season, Spencer knows he has to make every post a winner. He knows the deal, and what Neeld wants to see from his players.

Spencer is effectively a reflection of many players in the competition. He is aware that the end of the season is a crucial period. He himself says “it’s do or die”, but he won’t die wondering if he continues to give his all. And it’s been this attitude in recent weeks which has been evident to all who support the red and blue.

“I love the opportunity I’m getting towards the end of the season, but at the same time I’ve still got to play well enough to keep my spot,” Spencer said.

“You either behave yourself in or behave yourself out, and I love the club, so I really want to be here.”