Under no illusions about what is needed this season, Bullen admitted that this year was even more important than the last for the man earmarked as one of Essendon’s future midfielders.
""Our list has got stronger from last year and there are even more midfielders out there so I have to perform week in, week out to hold my spot in the side. Hopefully I can play well this week and we can take it from there,"" said Bullen.
Although starting most of the games last season on the bench, Bullen was able to make an immediate impact to the Bombers’ midfield structure. He was given a number of tasks, including ‘run-with’ roles against the opposition. His ability to push forward and kick six goals from the midfield adding another string to his bow.
""Starting on the ground and then being able to go and rest up forward and adding to the scoreboard is what midfielders have to do. Hopefully I can get goal a game maybe this year even,"" a determined Bullen said.
""Even if I do the run with roles this season, if I can get plenty of the ball when I am around it and add a bit of drive to our forwards I will be happy. That is the way I want to play this year and hopefully that can start this week,"" he said.
The 21-year-old also believes that his experience with finals footy last season will help with his game development this year.
""It was pretty daunting the first game over in Fremantle, but then the next game against Port Adelaide I found I adjusted a bit more. It gives you a real insider’s look as to where you want to get to in your football. It is high tempo - 120 minutes of flat out footy,"" Bullen states.
Bullen has used that experience to good effect with his pre-season based around the experiences of playing in the engine room in 2003.
""It is a tempo thing. You train, and train the way that I played that night (against Port Adelaide). You go about it the way you play your finals footy, that is how you want to get to it,"" he said.
Bullen is looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead of him this season. The first task however is to overcome a Port outfit with a classy midfield, something he says the Bombers are capable of doing.
""We have got a couple of midfielders out so we will have to share the workload. They have lost players like Nick Stevens (to Carlton) and Josh Francou (injury), so they will have second string boys in there as well.
""If we can get on top of these guys and their gun midfielders like James and Schofield, guys like that, then I am sure we can get over the top of them,"" Bullen said.
The Bombers will be looking forward to finally getting into action at AAMI Stadium on Sunday afternoon when the premiership points go up for grabs. Marc Bullen will be one Essendon midfielder who will be looking to make the perfect start to season 2004.
