Jared Polec 2012 End of Season Review
by Matt_BL
2011 review
Senior games: 12
Goals: 8
Dreamteam: 649
Supercoach: 645
Club Best and Fairest Votes: 5
Image (2012 preseason) courtesy of Mr Ripper
Pre Season:
Jared Polec, a highly rated footballer from WoodvilleWest Torrens with a penetrating left kick entered into his much hyped second season of football in 2012. Taken by the Lions at No. 5 in the 2010 Draft, expectations from many fans were high with an injury interrupted 2011 cutting his season shorter than expected, and with the news coming from the Lions camp in the pre season, many were thinking Polec may live up to the hype.
After spending a summer in the gym, Polec added 5kg to his frame, making him a stronger bodied midfield and resembled similar physical attributes such as fellow midfield Jack Redden and Collingwood’s Scott Pendlebury. Now at 189cm and 85kg he had exploded off the field and next step to take was to explode on the field. Injuries did prevent Polec from training fully with the group and found himself on the bike with some other members of the rehab group. Time was also spent engaging in static drills to improve skills before the all clear was given to train with the main group.
Signs were looking good early with Polec playing well in the pre season matches against Carlton and his efforts were highlighted in a ‘Michael Voss Mic’d up’ video released on the Lions website. It gave a good insight into what Voss valued in Polec's contribution, and also a hint to Lions fans that he would find himself in the side if he did those little things.
2012 Season
After having an in form pre season Polec was duely rewarded by being selected in the side for Round 1 to take on Melbourne. He went to to play 8 consecutive games and a total of 12 for the season, his last coming in Round 17 against the Suns. Polec averaged 11.9 disposals, a number slightly down on his 2011 average, it can be expected however as some matches were spent as the sub, with arguably his best performance coming against Fremantle in Round 3 by collecting 15 possession and kicking 2 goals as truly an impact player. This gusto faded quickly, while Polec was able to contribute his impact on games grew less as the season wore on. Reasons for this include injury and possibly lacking the required fitness base to perform consistenly for 22 games.
If 2011 was a development year Polec in 2012 was the definition of a fringe player, advancing in his development but not having the ‘breakout year’ many were hoping. For in the reserves was excellent but couldn’t translate that consistently to make an impact in the seniors. Late in the season Polec was again hampered by injuries and was a withdrawal from the NEAFL grand final. Glimpses were shown of what the No. 4 could produce, just not consistently enough. Any game time is good for Jared however due to the time spent on the sidelines through injury.
The Future
Now coming into his 3rd season, Polec will need a big pre season to build his fitness base and condition himself for the rigours of AFL football. There is no doubt there is a spot with Jared’s name on it, he just needs to earn it. Fans know if Polec can come into his own in 2013 the Lions will lift a gear. The class is obvious with the ball in hand, thus opportunities must be capitalised on when given. The signs are ominous, with the 2010 draft class already having produced some quality players in David Swallow, Harley Bennell and Andrew Gaff, as well as the now highly sought after Josh Caddy to name a few.
Trade talk has Polec’s name thrown about in a deal with Adelaide to secure Kurt Tippett. Polec is from SA but it is highly unlikely he will depart the club considering he extended his contract in 2011.
With the Lions holding good picks in the draft, including pick 8, the youth of the team will find themselves in strong competition for spots which will making the competition thrive and may be that push Polec needs to play all 22 games in 2013, and maybe more for finals.
The club revitalised culture full of young talent and opportunity, and many young players have had to work hard for their positions in the team. If Polec can take his chances there is no doubt that he will find himself as a integral part of the young midfield brigade along side the 3 R’s, Black and Beams. This young man can help the Lions roar once again.
by Matt_BL
2011 review
Senior games: 12
Goals: 8
Dreamteam: 649
Supercoach: 645
Club Best and Fairest Votes: 5
Image (2012 preseason) courtesy of Mr Ripper
Pre Season:
Jared Polec, a highly rated footballer from WoodvilleWest Torrens with a penetrating left kick entered into his much hyped second season of football in 2012. Taken by the Lions at No. 5 in the 2010 Draft, expectations from many fans were high with an injury interrupted 2011 cutting his season shorter than expected, and with the news coming from the Lions camp in the pre season, many were thinking Polec may live up to the hype.
After spending a summer in the gym, Polec added 5kg to his frame, making him a stronger bodied midfield and resembled similar physical attributes such as fellow midfield Jack Redden and Collingwood’s Scott Pendlebury. Now at 189cm and 85kg he had exploded off the field and next step to take was to explode on the field. Injuries did prevent Polec from training fully with the group and found himself on the bike with some other members of the rehab group. Time was also spent engaging in static drills to improve skills before the all clear was given to train with the main group.
Signs were looking good early with Polec playing well in the pre season matches against Carlton and his efforts were highlighted in a ‘Michael Voss Mic’d up’ video released on the Lions website. It gave a good insight into what Voss valued in Polec's contribution, and also a hint to Lions fans that he would find himself in the side if he did those little things.
2012 Season
After having an in form pre season Polec was duely rewarded by being selected in the side for Round 1 to take on Melbourne. He went to to play 8 consecutive games and a total of 12 for the season, his last coming in Round 17 against the Suns. Polec averaged 11.9 disposals, a number slightly down on his 2011 average, it can be expected however as some matches were spent as the sub, with arguably his best performance coming against Fremantle in Round 3 by collecting 15 possession and kicking 2 goals as truly an impact player. This gusto faded quickly, while Polec was able to contribute his impact on games grew less as the season wore on. Reasons for this include injury and possibly lacking the required fitness base to perform consistenly for 22 games.
If 2011 was a development year Polec in 2012 was the definition of a fringe player, advancing in his development but not having the ‘breakout year’ many were hoping. For in the reserves was excellent but couldn’t translate that consistently to make an impact in the seniors. Late in the season Polec was again hampered by injuries and was a withdrawal from the NEAFL grand final. Glimpses were shown of what the No. 4 could produce, just not consistently enough. Any game time is good for Jared however due to the time spent on the sidelines through injury.
The Future
Now coming into his 3rd season, Polec will need a big pre season to build his fitness base and condition himself for the rigours of AFL football. There is no doubt there is a spot with Jared’s name on it, he just needs to earn it. Fans know if Polec can come into his own in 2013 the Lions will lift a gear. The class is obvious with the ball in hand, thus opportunities must be capitalised on when given. The signs are ominous, with the 2010 draft class already having produced some quality players in David Swallow, Harley Bennell and Andrew Gaff, as well as the now highly sought after Josh Caddy to name a few.
Trade talk has Polec’s name thrown about in a deal with Adelaide to secure Kurt Tippett. Polec is from SA but it is highly unlikely he will depart the club considering he extended his contract in 2011.
With the Lions holding good picks in the draft, including pick 8, the youth of the team will find themselves in strong competition for spots which will making the competition thrive and may be that push Polec needs to play all 22 games in 2013, and maybe more for finals.
The club revitalised culture full of young talent and opportunity, and many young players have had to work hard for their positions in the team. If Polec can take his chances there is no doubt that he will find himself as a integral part of the young midfield brigade along side the 3 R’s, Black and Beams. This young man can help the Lions roar once again.
he has the brains, the foot skills, the nous and the temprement to be an A-grade midfielder / wingman. He adds a completely different dynamic to our group. His finishing skills are superb.
