Bulldog4life
08-12-2015, 05:52 PM
A MOVE forward in the second half of last season was the catalyst for a lifeline from the Western Bulldogs, according to rookie recruit Jed Adcock.
Predominately a running defender during 12 seasons and 206 games at the Brisbane Lions, Adcock kicked 12 goals in the final six games of 2015.
A four-goal haul against his new club in round 23 was a timely reminder the 30-year-old still had plenty to offer at the highest level.
"I ended up playing forward for the second half of the year, had a couple of really good games," Adcock told RSN radio.
"So I think the club, and especially Luke (Beveridge) probably saw that I could play across the whole ground now - forward, midfield and back."
And his new coach must really love him with Adcock living with Beveridge until his wife and children move to Melbourne later this month.
While he was disappointed he didn't fit in to the future plans at the Gabba, Adcock is excited by what's building at Whitten Oval.
"A lot of people talk about playing at the one club for life, (and) I was always hoping that would be the case, but it wasn't to be and you have to move on pretty quick," Adcock said
"I was lucky enough to get an opportunity around here and hopefully I've got a few years down here. I'm still pushing to play a bit more finals footy and hopefully one-day play in a premiership.
"There's still a big gap between where we finished last year compared to the top-four teams, but we feel if we mature properly and improvement happens like it’s meant to across the board, then that will put us in a good place.
"If we can continue to improve and continue to grow, we feel like we can be up there come September."
If his form warrants, Adcock is a strong chance to be upgraded to the senior list with luckless midfielder Clay Smith likely to spend the first half of 2016 on the long-term injury list as he recovers from a third knee reconstruction in as many years.
And the former Lions skipper's chances of lining up against Fremantle in round one has been made easier by Melbourne's cooler climate.
"It's been nice coming into training at nine o'clock and it's a balmy 25 degrees compared to 35 degrees and 100 per cent humidity and you're losing 4kgs per session," Adcock joked
"That's been a nice change."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-12-07/shift-forward-the-catalyst-for-adcocks-lifeline-at-dogs
Predominately a running defender during 12 seasons and 206 games at the Brisbane Lions, Adcock kicked 12 goals in the final six games of 2015.
A four-goal haul against his new club in round 23 was a timely reminder the 30-year-old still had plenty to offer at the highest level.
"I ended up playing forward for the second half of the year, had a couple of really good games," Adcock told RSN radio.
"So I think the club, and especially Luke (Beveridge) probably saw that I could play across the whole ground now - forward, midfield and back."
And his new coach must really love him with Adcock living with Beveridge until his wife and children move to Melbourne later this month.
While he was disappointed he didn't fit in to the future plans at the Gabba, Adcock is excited by what's building at Whitten Oval.
"A lot of people talk about playing at the one club for life, (and) I was always hoping that would be the case, but it wasn't to be and you have to move on pretty quick," Adcock said
"I was lucky enough to get an opportunity around here and hopefully I've got a few years down here. I'm still pushing to play a bit more finals footy and hopefully one-day play in a premiership.
"There's still a big gap between where we finished last year compared to the top-four teams, but we feel if we mature properly and improvement happens like it’s meant to across the board, then that will put us in a good place.
"If we can continue to improve and continue to grow, we feel like we can be up there come September."
If his form warrants, Adcock is a strong chance to be upgraded to the senior list with luckless midfielder Clay Smith likely to spend the first half of 2016 on the long-term injury list as he recovers from a third knee reconstruction in as many years.
And the former Lions skipper's chances of lining up against Fremantle in round one has been made easier by Melbourne's cooler climate.
"It's been nice coming into training at nine o'clock and it's a balmy 25 degrees compared to 35 degrees and 100 per cent humidity and you're losing 4kgs per session," Adcock joked
"That's been a nice change."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-12-07/shift-forward-the-catalyst-for-adcocks-lifeline-at-dogs