Games: 22
Goals: 11
Kicks: 213
Marks: 108
Handballs: 147

FANS RATING: 4.8 / 10

“Clearly a disappointing year given his obvious talents. Given that he was arguably the Norm Smith Medallist in the 2000 GF, there must have been reasons. Far too good to let go,” Graham Flynn.

.“Needs to find something to get to the next level. Plenty of potential. Final chance next year,” Glenn Fletcher.

“We need this type of player to be in a position to win a flag. We will take the good years with the bad,” Trevor Stanning.

“Who could forget the Richmond game in Round 2. Awesome. Did not do a thing wrong. Justin was unable to produce it after that. Tended to be more reactive than proactive in the role he played. Sheedy may give him one more chance,” Jamie Sweatman.

“Terrible season, at times looking not interested. Lack of speed and hardness at the ball a major problem. Poor disposal, which has always been a problem more evident this season,” Wayne Haggar.

“Appears not to have fully recovered from the injuries of 2001.Excellent in a few games but generally ordinary. Must decide whether he still wants to be an AFL player,” Ross Hamilton.

“Been bagged a lot in the media and with supporters. Didn't have his best year but still managed to get in the top 5 with most of the stats. Dominated against Carlton early in the year and killed the likes of Voss & Buckley and never got mentioned. Harshly done by,” Shanen Gittens.

“Would like Justin to take over games and exert his influence on games. Seems very much to be a support player. Is capable of big things but hasn't delivered this year,” Chris Lowrie.

THE WASH UPEssendon fans didn’t believe Blumfield had the influence he was capable of in season 2002. Some felt he hadn’t fully recovered from the injury problems of 2001, others felt the hunger and intensity wasn’t there. Most agreed he is a supremely talented footballer who will be critical to the side in 2003.

MARK HARVEY SAYS:

The rating for 2002 is probably about right. His knee has given him a little bit of trouble. I would never question this player’s hunger and he would have been frustrated by his season. I hope fans don’t forget what a very good player his is. He runs hard and is an excellent overhead mark. He set himself a standard in 2000 and that now becomes the expectation. It puts players under pressure and he must learn to handle that.