JARED Rivers’ performance against Brisbane Lions at the MCG on Sunday was one of his finest AFL matches, according to coach Dean Bailey.
Although Bailey was frustrated with his side, he spoke glowingly of Rivers, saying it was “absolutely” one of the defender’s best matches in recent years.
“I thought Jared Rivers was outstanding. I thought the way he played today was terrific,” he said of the 111-gamer.
“He’s a very proud person and he was very disappointed with his effort last week and he was coming to the game today and he was going to play well - it was only a matter of how well.
“His attitude was first-class for the whole game.”
Despite being praised by Bailey, the joint vice-captain was humble in his assessment when he spoke about his game.
“It was good just to get a bit of form back and take a few marks,” Rivers told melbournefc.com.au.
“It was a pretty tough game out there and although we didn’t play that well, it was crucial for us to get the four points. Now we can kick on with the year ahead.
“It’s good to find the ball a bit more, but all of the six backs are a pretty close group and we all try and help out as much as we can.”
Rivers took a couple of outstanding contested marks and was courageous with his positioning, which he said had been a focus in recent times.
“My positioning has changed over the last few years and I try and play in front a bit more, which gives me a bit more of an opportunity to take a few marks in each contest,” he said.
“If the mids are putting pressure on down field, it helps me take those marks, so all credit to them.
“It was a frustrating game. We didn’t start that great and three or four years ago, we wouldn’t have come back. We got back in the game and to finish off the way we did was great.”
Rivers is now determined to help the Demons achieve a 2-1-1 win-draw-loss record before the round five bye.
“We’ve got Gold Coast next week up at the Gabba, so hopefully we can recover well and have another good game and then we’ve got the bye,” he said.
“So we’ll play our hearts out at the Gabba and then have a rest for a week or so.”
Although Bailey was frustrated with his side, he spoke glowingly of Rivers, saying it was “absolutely” one of the defender’s best matches in recent years.
“I thought Jared Rivers was outstanding. I thought the way he played today was terrific,” he said of the 111-gamer.
“He’s a very proud person and he was very disappointed with his effort last week and he was coming to the game today and he was going to play well - it was only a matter of how well.
“His attitude was first-class for the whole game.”
Despite being praised by Bailey, the joint vice-captain was humble in his assessment when he spoke about his game.
“It was good just to get a bit of form back and take a few marks,” Rivers told melbournefc.com.au.
“It was a pretty tough game out there and although we didn’t play that well, it was crucial for us to get the four points. Now we can kick on with the year ahead.
“It’s good to find the ball a bit more, but all of the six backs are a pretty close group and we all try and help out as much as we can.”
Rivers took a couple of outstanding contested marks and was courageous with his positioning, which he said had been a focus in recent times.
“My positioning has changed over the last few years and I try and play in front a bit more, which gives me a bit more of an opportunity to take a few marks in each contest,” he said.
“If the mids are putting pressure on down field, it helps me take those marks, so all credit to them.
“It was a frustrating game. We didn’t start that great and three or four years ago, we wouldn’t have come back. We got back in the game and to finish off the way we did was great.”
Rivers is now determined to help the Demons achieve a 2-1-1 win-draw-loss record before the round five bye.
“We’ve got Gold Coast next week up at the Gabba, so hopefully we can recover well and have another good game and then we’ve got the bye,” he said.
“So we’ll play our hearts out at the Gabba and then have a rest for a week or so.”
