MARTY Gleeson was drafted into the AFL system on a night when Warrnambool was plunged into the dark ages three years ago.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Much has changed since Essendon took a punt on the skinny kid from Koroit on November 22, 2012 – a night when a Telstra blackout prevented many congratulatory messages from flowing through to his Optus mobile.
Gleeson entered the draft system as a long-term project.
He is now an integral part of the Bombers’ back line, providing dash from defence.
He arrived weighing 70 kilograms and was unsure if his light frame would withstand the rigours of elite football.
It didn’t and he was sent in for shoulder surgery midway through his first season.
Now he’s injury-free, stronger and fitter and confident of making an impact every time he pulls on the red and black sash.
His rise from classy yet unproven teenager to emerging defender has been steady.
Gleeson played VFL in 2013 before he was hurt but worked hard on his rehabilitation to earn a round one debut the following year.
He managed nine AFL games, including the Bombers’ elimination final loss to North Melbourne, that season.
He played all 22 matches in 2015, cementing himself, alongside Cobden export Zach Merrett, in a young Essendon line-up.
Gleeson, home in Koroit resting before the start of pre-season training on November 9, said his rise had been a whirlwind.
“It feels like I only started yesterday and now I am going into my fourth year, so it’s a bit crazy,” he said.
“This time last year I set myself to do most of pre-season that I could to hold me in good stead for that year and that definitely helped.
“I was able to get through, for the first time since I’ve been down there, a full year of footy.
“To play more in the senior side too was a great thrill.
“Hopefully I will build on that again this pre-season and then go into next year with a bit of confidence.”
Gleeson, 21, is comfortable as part of the Bombers’ defence, which includes 2015 All-Australian centre half-back Michael Hurley and swingman Cale Hooker.
“They’re such nice guys and approachable, so you can ask them about anything and they’re always willing to help you,” he said.
“The back group I am with all the time at training and they do weights with you, they push you and at every skills session they’re there helping you.”
The North Ballarat Rebels export, renowned for his skills, run and ability to read the play, said he now understood the importance of one-on-one defence.
“I thought my defensive game improved a lot, which was good, and I have to keep finding that balance between attack and defence,” Gleeson said.
“That, for myself, if a vital part of my role playing off half-back.”
Gleeson averaged 13.9 touches a game in 2015, racking up a season-best 20 disposals on three occasions.
But it was a tough year for Essendon.
The Bombers won four of their first eight matches, including a round two thriller against reigning premier Hawthorn, before slumping to 6-16 to finish 15th.
Gleeson is confident the Bombers can make a marked improvement under new coach, West Coast premiership mentor John Worsfold, next season.
“I just want to build on last year – get through pre-season and get as fit and as strong as I can, play round one and hopefully cement my spot again,” he said.
“As a team we’ve just got to keep growing together.
“Everyone is really excited – new coach, a lot of new people around the club, a lot of new players with (recruits) Craig Bird and Matthew Leuenberger and a few younger guys coming in.
“We obviously want to improve on last season.
“That is definitely an aim.
“Whether that’s finals or 10 wins, we’ll see how we go.”
The AFL, in revealing its 2016 fixture on Thursday, announced a week off before finals, implemented to stop teams mass resting in the final round.
Gleeson is interested to see how the concept works.
“It could be good for sides going into finals, everyone goes in a bit fresher so it could be exciting,” he said.
“A lot of times they (elimination finalists) have to win (in the last round) to get into the finals so if they got that week to freshen up it would definitely help.”
Finals might have alluded Gleeson at AFL level this year but he was thrilled to watch his home club Koroit win back-to-back Hampden league flags from the sidelines in September.
The former Hampden rising star winner was overseas when the Saints stunned Warrnambool to win the 2014 flag.
Gleeson, who spent time in Queensland during his break, wasn’t going to miss the chance to watch the Adam Dowie-coached side repeat the dose 12 months later.
He was thrilled, particularly for his mates Daniel Harrington and Sam Dobson and veteran trio Ben Goodall, Joe McLaren and Chris McLaren.
“My fingers were crossed they’d make it this year so I could stick around and see how they went,” he said.
“Obviously they played really well on the day, so it was good to see that.
“In my senior year (at Koroit in 2011) we lost in the prelim which at the time I was a bit disappointed about.
“Looking back now I would have loved to play in a grand final with Koroit but it wasn’t to be.
“Hopefully one day in the future I’ll get the chance.”
But first for Gleeson, a one-time Carlton fan-turned Essendon player, there is a premiership at the Bombers to chase.