In the lead-up to Jared Rivers’ 100th match for the club, melbournefc.com.au looks back on 12 snapshots from his career.
1 - Drafted: Rivers is selected at No.26 in the 2002 AFL Draft from North Adelaide. As a junior, he represented South Australia in 2001, but a wrist injury kept him out of the AFL under 18 championships in 2002.
2 - Debut: Makes his AFL debut against Geelong in round 19, 2003. He plays three matches in his first season.
3 - A full season: Plays all 22 matches in just his second AFL season. He holds down centre half-back as a 19-year-old.
4 - Best youngster: Named the competition’s brightest star, winning the 2004 AFL Rising Star.
5 - First final: Has his first taste of September action. Although the Demons fall short by five points to the Bombers, Rivers is named among Melbourne’s best.
6 - A tough season: Plays 14 of 23 matches in 2005, but a two-match suspension, a hand injury and being overlooked for selection in the elimination final against Geelong results in a frustrating follow-up year.
7 - Bouncing back: Suffers an elbow injury early in 2006, missing the first two rounds, before returning to play 22 matches, including two finals.
8 - Frustration sets in again: Injury ruins Rivers’ 2007 season. He manages just three matches in rounds two, five and six, before succumbing to osteitis pubis.
9 - Further injury strikes: Rivers continues to battle groin and hip problems, managing just six appearances.
10 - 20 matches: After making just nine appearances in 2007/08, Rivers bounces back and misses just two matches.
11 - An emerging leader: Rivers is named in Melbourne’s leadership group for the first time, heading into the 2010 season. He sets up strongly and is well regarded for his guidance down back.
12 - 100th match: Rivers is set to play bring up his ton against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
1 - Drafted: Rivers is selected at No.26 in the 2002 AFL Draft from North Adelaide. As a junior, he represented South Australia in 2001, but a wrist injury kept him out of the AFL under 18 championships in 2002.
2 - Debut: Makes his AFL debut against Geelong in round 19, 2003. He plays three matches in his first season.
3 - A full season: Plays all 22 matches in just his second AFL season. He holds down centre half-back as a 19-year-old.
4 - Best youngster: Named the competition’s brightest star, winning the 2004 AFL Rising Star.
5 - First final: Has his first taste of September action. Although the Demons fall short by five points to the Bombers, Rivers is named among Melbourne’s best.
6 - A tough season: Plays 14 of 23 matches in 2005, but a two-match suspension, a hand injury and being overlooked for selection in the elimination final against Geelong results in a frustrating follow-up year.
7 - Bouncing back: Suffers an elbow injury early in 2006, missing the first two rounds, before returning to play 22 matches, including two finals.
8 - Frustration sets in again: Injury ruins Rivers’ 2007 season. He manages just three matches in rounds two, five and six, before succumbing to osteitis pubis.
9 - Further injury strikes: Rivers continues to battle groin and hip problems, managing just six appearances.
10 - 20 matches: After making just nine appearances in 2007/08, Rivers bounces back and misses just two matches.
11 - An emerging leader: Rivers is named in Melbourne’s leadership group for the first time, heading into the 2010 season. He sets up strongly and is well regarded for his guidance down back.
12 - 100th match: Rivers is set to play bring up his ton against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
