JEREMY Howe’s performance against Greater Western Sydney was one of the bright spots from Melbourne’s 25-point win at Manuka Oval on Saturday.
But he’s been one of the shining lights - in a year that has had some dark - for Melbourne throughout 2012.
In just his second AFL listed season, Howe, along with Colin Garland, Jared Rivers and Jack Trengove, has played every match to date in 2012 for Melbourne.
It’s a fine achievement from Howe, who won Melbourne’s best first year player last season.
The 22 year-old, who was drafted at No. 33 in the 2010 NAB AFL Draft, has impressed mostly with his aerial feats and his athletic qualities. But there is more to Howe than just his exciting talents.
“This season has been more consistent that last year, which was my first year. I was still a bit new to the game and how quick AFL was, but now that I’ve got my second pre-season under my belt, I’ve felt a bit quicker and stronger,” he melbournefc.com.au.
“I’m a lot more confident in my game - especially going for marks. I reckon my second year has been a positive, after I was building up from my first year.
“Still, there have been games where I’ve been inconsistent, but that’s something I can work on and, with another pre-season, it’ll help me.”
According to Champion Data, Howe was best on ground against GWS.
It was his best match of the season, as he finished with 17 disposals and three goals from six scoring shots. He was particularly dangerous in the second and third terms, when Melbourne set up its victory.
“I played about 85 per cent forward, and a little bit in the midfield,” he said.
“Kicking 3.3 I was pretty happy, but a couple of those opportunities went begging - I should’ve ended up with a few more.
“I was just happy to contribute for the boys and add a bit more forward pressure, as that’s what was missing in my game. So it was good to get that up as well.”
Naturally, Howe took his obligatory mark of the day/week/year contender against the Giants. Although it wasn’t his best for the year, it’s become routine for the Tasmanian from Dodges Ferry to take a ‘speccie’ each week.
“[Jordie] McKenzie is claiming that [mark], because he kicked it up a bit high and I had a jump and a crack,” Howe said with a laugh.
“That’s just a bonus, so I was happy to just get the win.”
So which hanger does Howe believe has been his best one for the season?
“I take Sydney [first] and then Port [second] … but I’m just waiting for Jared Rivers to take [mark of the year] off me,” he said with a laugh.
“I’d have to say the Sydney one [in round eight] - that’s the one that sticks in my mind the most.
“The Port Adelaide one [in round 17] as well - they’re the two [marks] that sit pretty fresh in my mind.”
But there is more to Howe than just hangers.
Although Melbourne still has two matches remaining, he has already got an eye to the pre-season. He is super keen to see where he can take his athletic attributes into the future.
“The benefits that I’ve got out of my second pre-season, compared to my first - it’s enough to get you excited going into your third pre-season,” he said.
“I know I’m going to get some benefits out of it, so the more pre-seasons I can get under my belt and the more I can build myself up - the stronger and fitter I can play.
“I’ll continue to work on that in the pre-season, and the benefits will follow, so I’m looking forward to that.”
Switching between midfield and forward, Howe said that he “probably has the best of both worlds” and is determined to keep building on both areas.
“I’m obviously going to get a lot fitter next year as well, so I’ll just keep building on my fitness and strength,” he said.
“I’m just happy to be running around with the other boys out there each weekend.
“I’m happy whether I play forward or mid, so it doesn’t worry me.”
Howe is not only excited by his own future development, but he has genuine belief about the direction the club is taking.
“It’s good that you have the confidence from the coaches. We’ve got a great bunch of blokes who are leading us in the right direction, and they’ve got confidence in me like I’ve got confidence in them,” he said.
“The closer we can work with them - they’re going to make us into the players that we are. We’ve just got to buy into what they’re trying to do.
“I believe I’m buying into what Neeldy (Mark Neeld) and the coaches are trying to do, and I’m reaping the benefits out of that. The way that they’re trying to make us play is trying to make us better.”
But he’s been one of the shining lights - in a year that has had some dark - for Melbourne throughout 2012.
In just his second AFL listed season, Howe, along with Colin Garland, Jared Rivers and Jack Trengove, has played every match to date in 2012 for Melbourne.
It’s a fine achievement from Howe, who won Melbourne’s best first year player last season.
The 22 year-old, who was drafted at No. 33 in the 2010 NAB AFL Draft, has impressed mostly with his aerial feats and his athletic qualities. But there is more to Howe than just his exciting talents.
“This season has been more consistent that last year, which was my first year. I was still a bit new to the game and how quick AFL was, but now that I’ve got my second pre-season under my belt, I’ve felt a bit quicker and stronger,” he melbournefc.com.au.
“I’m a lot more confident in my game - especially going for marks. I reckon my second year has been a positive, after I was building up from my first year.
“Still, there have been games where I’ve been inconsistent, but that’s something I can work on and, with another pre-season, it’ll help me.”
According to Champion Data, Howe was best on ground against GWS.
It was his best match of the season, as he finished with 17 disposals and three goals from six scoring shots. He was particularly dangerous in the second and third terms, when Melbourne set up its victory.
“I played about 85 per cent forward, and a little bit in the midfield,” he said.
“Kicking 3.3 I was pretty happy, but a couple of those opportunities went begging - I should’ve ended up with a few more.
“I was just happy to contribute for the boys and add a bit more forward pressure, as that’s what was missing in my game. So it was good to get that up as well.”
Naturally, Howe took his obligatory mark of the day/week/year contender against the Giants. Although it wasn’t his best for the year, it’s become routine for the Tasmanian from Dodges Ferry to take a ‘speccie’ each week.
“[Jordie] McKenzie is claiming that [mark], because he kicked it up a bit high and I had a jump and a crack,” Howe said with a laugh.
“That’s just a bonus, so I was happy to just get the win.”
So which hanger does Howe believe has been his best one for the season?
“I take Sydney [first] and then Port [second] … but I’m just waiting for Jared Rivers to take [mark of the year] off me,” he said with a laugh.
“I’d have to say the Sydney one [in round eight] - that’s the one that sticks in my mind the most.
“The Port Adelaide one [in round 17] as well - they’re the two [marks] that sit pretty fresh in my mind.”
But there is more to Howe than just hangers.
Although Melbourne still has two matches remaining, he has already got an eye to the pre-season. He is super keen to see where he can take his athletic attributes into the future.
“The benefits that I’ve got out of my second pre-season, compared to my first - it’s enough to get you excited going into your third pre-season,” he said.
“I know I’m going to get some benefits out of it, so the more pre-seasons I can get under my belt and the more I can build myself up - the stronger and fitter I can play.
“I’ll continue to work on that in the pre-season, and the benefits will follow, so I’m looking forward to that.”
Switching between midfield and forward, Howe said that he “probably has the best of both worlds” and is determined to keep building on both areas.
“I’m obviously going to get a lot fitter next year as well, so I’ll just keep building on my fitness and strength,” he said.
“I’m just happy to be running around with the other boys out there each weekend.
“I’m happy whether I play forward or mid, so it doesn’t worry me.”
Howe is not only excited by his own future development, but he has genuine belief about the direction the club is taking.
“It’s good that you have the confidence from the coaches. We’ve got a great bunch of blokes who are leading us in the right direction, and they’ve got confidence in me like I’ve got confidence in them,” he said.
“The closer we can work with them - they’re going to make us into the players that we are. We’ve just got to buy into what they’re trying to do.
“I believe I’m buying into what Neeldy (Mark Neeld) and the coaches are trying to do, and I’m reaping the benefits out of that. The way that they’re trying to make us play is trying to make us better.”
