MB: Thanks for your time Jared. Firstly, reflecting on Sunday. The Dees fell short to the Western Bulldogs by 21 points, but were ‘in the game’. What were your thoughts on the match?
JR: It was just one of those games. When the game was finished, we were pretty knackered and for the first time this year, we had a real crack for four quarters. A few missed opportunities early on in the game probably cost us a little bit, but we were happy with the way we had a crack for four quarters, which we haven’t done.
MB: Do you feel it was a competitive effort or an opportunity missed?
JR: It’s still disappointing we didn’t get the four points. We had opportunities throughout the game to get a few goals clear, but we were happy with the way the boys fought it out. Hopefully [this Saturday] against St Kilda we can get the four points.
MB: As a senior player, how have you assessed Melbourne’s start to 2012?
JR: It’s been frustrating, because we’ve been close a few times, and a few quarters have let us down through the first three or four games. We’re starting to build more as we go along. It’s definitely been disappointing that we haven’t had any wins on the board yet, but we’re improving, so that’s a good thing.
MB: You were widely regarded as Melbourne’s best against the Dogs. How did you view your performance and your start to the season?
JR: I’ve been pretty happy. It was good to get a few marks in the backline. I think as a backline group we’re starting to get a bit better and play a few more games together, with the likes of Garlo (Colin Garland), Barty (Clint Bartram) and Chippa (James Frawley) down there and Tommy McDonald as well - he’s only played four games, so he’s doing well. We’re looking forward throughout the year to try and improve as a group.
MB: Last year you were a joint vice-captain, but you’re not part of the leadership group this year. How did you take that?
JR: Neeldy (Mark Neeld) got me in at the start of the year and told me what direction he was going with, with the younger guys. I’m still giving my view, like Brent Moloney, Aaron [Davey] and Greeny (Brad Green) on and off the field. So, not having a tag there doesn’t really faze me that much. I go about my business as I normally do, and I just try and help the young boys in there, because it’s been pretty tough for them in the first four weeks.
MB: You’ve had plenty of ups and downs in your career - you won the Rising Star and played finals early in your career, had a spate of injuries in the middle stages and are now part of a rebuilding side. How do you assess your journey so far?
JR: It’s been frustrating - definitely these last four or five years where we haven’t won a lot of games and the team hasn’t been playing that well. There are definitely signs of improvement that I can see from the whole football club. With the new coaches coming in, Neeldy (Mark Neeld) has been fantastic and all of the assistant coaches have been really good. It’s going to take time with a young group to get the fresh look that the coach wants, and the right balance. The improvement is there, but we’ve just got to get it quicker.
MB: Last year was arguably your best season or equal to your NAB AFL Rising Star win in 2004. And you were rewarded with runner-up in Melbourne’s best and fairest. What did that honour mean to you?
JR: It was great last year to get an individual achievement, but it was really all about team success and trying to get this group up the ladder sooner rather than later. Coming into this season, I definitely had a really good pre-season and didn’t really miss any running sessions, which was good. The body feels pretty good.
MB: Although you finished second to Brent Moloney in the Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Memorial Trophy last year, did you feel much pressure personally entering this year, given a new coaching staff?
JR: I wasn’t too concerned, but I think it’s always good when a new coach comes in and a new football staff doesn’t really know much about you. It just puts everyone on edge, because you want to try and perform and do the right things on and off the field. I think I’ve done that through the pre-season, and hopefully I’ve got the respect from the coaching staff and the playing group. I’m happy to do my job each week and do what I can for the team.
MB: Do you feel you’re now the most consistent you’ve been in your career?
JR: Over the last few years, I’ve been more consistent in my game. I’ve finally got my body right and I know what I have to do each week to get my body in the best possible shape. I know what I have to do to go out there and try and perform each week.
MB: In recent years, the Melbourne coaches have spoken about your ability to position and marshal your teammates down back. Can you explain what that involves?
JR: Because I’m pretty close to the last line of defence, my voice has got to be pretty full on with the guys in front of me, because they can’t see behind. So, with communication in regards to the kicking zone or the grid set-up, where we’re trying to press other teams up the ground - it’s about everyone trying to get in the right position for us. It’s also about us trying to keep the ball inside our forward 50. Everyone is communicating, but I’ve got to try and lead that in that way, because I’m on the last line of defence.
MB: Jade Rawlings is your new backline coach this year. What’s he been like for you and the defensive unit?
JR: Jade’s been great - and Andrew Nichol. They’re good, because they’ve played in the backline before as players and they’re really passionate about the backline, which is fantastic. He’s been fantastic for the group. We’ve really worked hard in the off-season to try and build us a bit tighter and stronger and more competitive, so I think we’re starting to show that.
MB: You’ve been involved in the Neale Daniher, Dean Bailey and now Mark Neeld era. Can you see progress under the new regime?
JR: I can. I can see where the coach is coming from and what he’s trying to do, so I think we’ve just got to fine tune a couple of things and try and get a bit of confidence back. The boys are a bit down in confidence and hopefully Saturday night we can have a real crack at St Kilda and really take the game on, which we haven’t done in the past. Hopefully we can play four quarters of consistent footy and get the four points this Saturday night.
MB: One of your mates down back - Clint Bartram - plays his 100th AFL match this round. How do you sum up Bartram’s career so far?
JR: It’s just a great achievement for a guy who has worked so hard each week just to get up for a game. His attitude towards footy and towards his mates and the footy club is fantastic, so I wish him all the best for Saturday night.
MB: The Dees play St Kilda this Saturday night at the MCG. How are the players feeling entering this clash?
JR: It’s good to get our first Saturday night game on the ‘G. We haven’t had one for a while. It’s a very important game for us and they’re coming off a harsh defeat against Freo, so they’ll be raring to go. We’re pretty hopeful that we can get off to a good start and try and match them in those areas that we need to improve on, like contested footy and spreading, which we need to do. It’s a big challenge for us, but I think we’re up to it.
MB: Thanks for your time Jared, and all the best for Saturday night.
JR: Cheers, thanks Matty.
