Grab over Grundy my greatest: Howe
Jeremy Howe rated his round eight Mark of the Year over Sydney’s Heath Grundy as “definitely” the greatest mark he had ever taken at any level
Howe became something of a YouTube sensation among football supporters when they viewed his hangers taken in Tasmania after he was drafted by Melbourne at No. 33 in the 2010 NAB AFL Draft.
In his debut season, he took plenty of eye catching grabs, but went to another in 2012, when he popped up several times in contention for the mark of the year.
“I took a few back home, but I don’t think any compares to that one and I wasn’t donning the old blond mullet, so it makes it a little bit better,” he told melbournefc.com.au with a laugh.
“One would be the mark against Sydney, two [the mark in] Darwin against Port Adelaide and three would be against Gold Coast.”
Howe said that competing in high jump at high school had helped him, literally, to elevate his game.
“I did high jump in year nine and 10 and I managed to go all right then,” he said.
“Then I started using [my jumping ability] in my game, because marking was always a strength.
“I put the two together and I was able to jump and have a crack at the ball and then the timing had a little bit to do with it. If I think I can get it - I’ll have a crack at it.”
Asked to describe what it’s like to take a hanger, Howe said “it all happens pretty quickly”.
“The adrenaline definitely goes up a little bit more. You get a big buzz after it,” he said.
“It’s not a bad feeling … you jump up and have a crack at it, but then if you get that extra purchase - then you get a bit of a buzz and a bit of a thrill.
“It happens all pretty quick and if you’re lucky to jump and someone gets underneath you - then you’re lucky. I’ve been gifted to jump that little bit higher than everyone else, but I just try and use it to my advantage and see how we go.”
Howe said he had the backing of the coaching staff to keep taking his marks.
“They give me a lot of confidence,” he said.
“If they think I can get it, then they say ‘have a crack’ - as long as I make it a contest, if I’m not marking it and bringing it to the front and letting the smaller guys have a crack. Then I’m playing my role.
“They give me all the confidence in the world to jump up and have a crack.”
Despite being known for his marking ability, Howe is also eager to be known for his other attributes.
“Marking is a bonus to my game - I try to pride myself on other stuff like contested footy and winning your own ball,” he said.
“I try and get my tank up and run all day. Goal kicking, too - although it’s been a bit of a let down this year - it’s generally not too bad.
“The big marks - that’s just a bonus to my game. I’d definitely try and work on all of the aspects of my game as well.”
Having pushed into the midfield this year, Howe wants to keep building his game in this area in 2013.
“Playing in the midfield, you’re usually on a smaller player, so that’s where I feel I can use my marking to an advantage,” he said.
“In my third pre-season, I’ll probably spend more time in the midfield and I’ll still get to spend my role down in the forward line as well.
“The opportunities are there, and I’ll make the most of wherever I play.”