TO THE outside world, it may look like Melbourne is struggling. But talk to Clint Bartram and you genuinely believe the Demons are the verge of an exciting new era.
Even after a 76-point loss to Adelaide, Bartram was infectious with his enthusiasm for the club’s young playing list, including the likes of 2008 debutants Cale Morton, Austin Wonaeamirri and Shane Valenti.
“It’s exciting. We’ve got so many boys around the age of 22 or younger,” says Bartram, himself just 20.
“Then you’ve got Aaron Davey, Jared Rivers and Brent Moloney, who are just above that age.
“It’s going to be exciting times, especially with (coach) Dean (Bailey). Dean’s got such a good game plan and such knowledge of the game. If he can teach us some of that and we carry it out on the field, I think we’ll have a lot more success.”
Taken at pick 60 in the national draft at the end of 2005, Bartram surprised all with his first season, playing 22 games in 2006 and finishing fifth in the NAB Rising Star.
He finished the season on a down note with a nasty ankle injury, but just when he was back on track after a summer of hard rehab, disaster struck, with Bartram’s knee giving way at training after round one, forcing him to miss the rest of the 2007 season.
He returned to the Demons line-up almost exactly 12 months later, in round two this year. Bartram says the knee is now fine, but he’s still on a limited program.
“The knee’s not an issue any more – it's good,” he said.
“I’m pretty modified as to the training I do. I only train twice a week with actual on-ground skills. I’m just slowly working on getting my fitness back up.
“The fitness staff are really good, they freshen me up every week. There’s a lot of time and care taken on their behalf, and I’m grateful for that.”
Bartram’s game is based around endurance running, making him the perfect candidate for the ‘run-with’ roles he became noted for in his debut season.
He was at it again against Adelaide, limiting Crows’ champion Andrew McLeod to just 12 touches while picking up 15 possessions, six tackles and a goal himself. Post-match, Bartram revealed had turned to McLeod for advice when rehabbing from his knee injury.
“I actually spoke to Andrew McLeod earlier in the year, because he had a pretty similar knee injury,” Bartram said.
“I also played on him two years ago, and he’s just such an amazing player.
“It’s always good to go head-to-head with someone like that, and to come out on top is pretty pleasing. But his team’s got the chocolates and we don’t, which obviously sours it.”
Bailey praised Bartram’s efforts after the match, but also spent a long post-game team meeting pointing out just where the Demons went wrong.
“We just went through a few key points from the game, looking at things we did well, and the things we can obviously improve and get better for next week,” Bartram said.
“It was a good start. We controlled the ball early on, but unfortunately didn’t quite capitalise on our opportunities, which was disappointing.
“Adelaide are a good team and made us pay for our mistakes.”
