BIG MAN MARK Jamar says he is eager to help out the club’s younger ruck stocks, and step up his leadership in 2011.
The 27 year-old - now the fourth oldest player on the club’s list behind Cameron Bruce, Brad Green and Aaron Davey - said it felt unusual to be one of the more senior players.
“It’s a bit weird to think that I’m one of the oldest, although there are still a lot more blokes who have played more games than me,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“In terms of age, I’m one of the oldest now and I’m looking forward to taking on a bit more responsibility and helping the young blokes like Jake Spencer, Stef Martin, Max Gawn and Jack Fitzpatrick where I can.
“I really want to help them out as much as I can.”
Jamar said that being a mentor to the club’s young ruckmen was somewhat of a new experience.
“They wouldn’t have thought [I was a mentor] at the start of the year, but now, after what I’ve been able to do this year, they might look at the way I do things and try and take something out of that,” he said.
“I’m more than willing to help them out with anything they need along the way.
Hopefully we can all work together and push each other and all improve together.”
The 27 year-old - now the fourth oldest player on the club’s list behind Cameron Bruce, Brad Green and Aaron Davey - said it felt unusual to be one of the more senior players.
“It’s a bit weird to think that I’m one of the oldest, although there are still a lot more blokes who have played more games than me,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“In terms of age, I’m one of the oldest now and I’m looking forward to taking on a bit more responsibility and helping the young blokes like Jake Spencer, Stef Martin, Max Gawn and Jack Fitzpatrick where I can.
“I really want to help them out as much as I can.”
Jamar said that being a mentor to the club’s young ruckmen was somewhat of a new experience.
“They wouldn’t have thought [I was a mentor] at the start of the year, but now, after what I’ve been able to do this year, they might look at the way I do things and try and take something out of that,” he said.
“I’m more than willing to help them out with anything they need along the way.
Hopefully we can all work together and push each other and all improve together.”
Jamar, who had his finest AFL season in 2010, was named All-Australian and finished third in Melbourne’s best and fairest.
He also smashed 643 hit outs - second only in the competition to Fremantle’s Aaron Sandilands. His previous best was 261 hit outs in 2008.
Meanwhile, Jamar said the club’s recent trip to China was an outstanding success.
“I thought it was great. I got to play in the game and the win over Brisbane, and watch ‘LJ’ turn it on,” he said.
“After the game, we all stuck together and went out for dinner and reflected on the experience. We all got to know people at the club who we may not have had a lot to do with.
“It’s been invaluable from that point of view and we’ve got a lot better synergy from getting to know everyone.”
He also smashed 643 hit outs - second only in the competition to Fremantle’s Aaron Sandilands. His previous best was 261 hit outs in 2008.
Meanwhile, Jamar said the club’s recent trip to China was an outstanding success.
“I thought it was great. I got to play in the game and the win over Brisbane, and watch ‘LJ’ turn it on,” he said.
“After the game, we all stuck together and went out for dinner and reflected on the experience. We all got to know people at the club who we may not have had a lot to do with.
“It’s been invaluable from that point of view and we’ve got a lot better synergy from getting to know everyone.”
