RUCKMAN Mark Jamar is a chance to return for Melbourne’s final home and away clash against Fremantle at Patersons Stadium this Saturday.
Jamar played just one match from rounds 14 to 21 due to a calf injury, but he returned to play for Casey last round, claiming 38 hit outs.
Coach Mark Neeld said Jamar would be assessed throughout the week to determine if he would play in round 23.
“Mark’s been back for one week - he was out for seven [weeks], so he’s been back for a week and played about 75 per cent game time for Casey,” he said.
“We’ve been really pleased with what Jake Spencer’s done [in Jamar’s absence]. He’s played eight AFL games, the comeback season after an ACL (knee injury) and he’s been really competitive.
“If Mark gets through, he puts his hand up for selection, so we’ll just see what happens.”
Neeld said Spencer had developed well with Jamar on the sidelines.
“He’s (Spencer) played 16 AFL games. Sam Jacobs, who played particularly well last week [on Spencer] … arguably, would be up there for All-Australian selection with the season that he’s had. So it was a really good learning opportunity for Jake,” he said.
“Supporters don’t want to hear it and media people don’t really care, but the reality is [that it was] a 16-game player up against a player in contention for All-Australian selection.
“On that particular battle, [Spencer] is probably not going to come out on top. But we were really pleased with giving Jake that opportunity.”
With the season coming to a close, Neeld said 2012 had been a remarkable year - his first as senior coach.
“It’s a life experience. There’s some things that you can never prepare yourself for,” he said.
“A lot of the things that get written about and spoken about are everything but footy.
“It is what it is and there are lots of TV rights … I don’t buy into too much into the soap opera and reporting. I’m just pretty keen on just how the game works.”
Jamar played just one match from rounds 14 to 21 due to a calf injury, but he returned to play for Casey last round, claiming 38 hit outs.
Coach Mark Neeld said Jamar would be assessed throughout the week to determine if he would play in round 23.
“Mark’s been back for one week - he was out for seven [weeks], so he’s been back for a week and played about 75 per cent game time for Casey,” he said.
“We’ve been really pleased with what Jake Spencer’s done [in Jamar’s absence]. He’s played eight AFL games, the comeback season after an ACL (knee injury) and he’s been really competitive.
“If Mark gets through, he puts his hand up for selection, so we’ll just see what happens.”
Neeld said Spencer had developed well with Jamar on the sidelines.
“He’s (Spencer) played 16 AFL games. Sam Jacobs, who played particularly well last week [on Spencer] … arguably, would be up there for All-Australian selection with the season that he’s had. So it was a really good learning opportunity for Jake,” he said.
“Supporters don’t want to hear it and media people don’t really care, but the reality is [that it was] a 16-game player up against a player in contention for All-Australian selection.
“On that particular battle, [Spencer] is probably not going to come out on top. But we were really pleased with giving Jake that opportunity.”
With the season coming to a close, Neeld said 2012 had been a remarkable year - his first as senior coach.
“It’s a life experience. There’s some things that you can never prepare yourself for,” he said.
“A lot of the things that get written about and spoken about are everything but footy.
“It is what it is and there are lots of TV rights … I don’t buy into too much into the soap opera and reporting. I’m just pretty keen on just how the game works.”
