ROUND 23 Rising Star winner Sam Blease says playing in the final four rounds of 2011 will give him enormous confidence heading into the 2012 pre-season.
Blease made his AFL debut against the Western Bulldogs in round 15, but didn’t reemerge until Melbourne’s clash against West Coast Eagles in round 22.
Since then, Blease has accumulated 65 disposals in his past three matches at an average of 21.66 touches per game.
He also achieved a career-best 28 possessions against Gold Coast Suns last round, which earned him his Rising Star nomination.
Blease said his award was “good recognition” for the hard work and hurdles he has had to overcome in recent years.
“To come back from a broken leg and finally being able to play AFL footy, which at some point, I thought may never happen again,” he said.
“I’ve been able to do all of the work and I was able to take confidence out of that. I’ve still got a lot of work to do, as far as defensively and learning the game and learning AFL.
“Playing the last four games of the season is going to put me in good stead going into the pre-season and I’ll take a lot of confidence out of it.”
Blease made his AFL debut against the Western Bulldogs in round 15, but didn’t reemerge until Melbourne’s clash against West Coast Eagles in round 22.
Since then, Blease has accumulated 65 disposals in his past three matches at an average of 21.66 touches per game.
He also achieved a career-best 28 possessions against Gold Coast Suns last round, which earned him his Rising Star nomination.
Blease said his award was “good recognition” for the hard work and hurdles he has had to overcome in recent years.
“To come back from a broken leg and finally being able to play AFL footy, which at some point, I thought may never happen again,” he said.
“I’ve been able to do all of the work and I was able to take confidence out of that. I’ve still got a lot of work to do, as far as defensively and learning the game and learning AFL.
“Playing the last four games of the season is going to put me in good stead going into the pre-season and I’ll take a lot of confidence out of it.”
