Courtenay Dempsey's speedy return to his best form on the back of a knee reconstruction has surprised many, but the 24-year-old hoped for as much after improving his professionalism.
Dempsey missed almost all of last year after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in round four and, apart from two weeks out with a slight hamstring niggle, he has been in almost career-best form for the Bombers.
Dempsey has averaged 17 disposals a game, but perhaps more importantly his run, dash and drive have been evident off half-back. Where it left a gaping hole last year, Dempsey's pace and skill has been a big element of Essendon's success so far this year.
The quietly spoken Dempsey admits he had some doubts whether he'd be able to get back to his best so quickly, but says he's now not even thinking about his knee when out on the field. He's uninhibited, and he's liking it.
""I definitely had some doubts, everyone does,"" Dempsey told essendonfc.com.au.
""With a major injury of that calibre, you do have those doubts in the back of your mind but coming back and getting into it earlier than expected really boosted my confidence in knowing I'd be able to come in and play well.
""In saying that, I was a lot better with my off-field stuff and my professionalism with my knee than I have ever been which is helping me now.""
Dempsey is no stranger to injury. The first three years of his career were ruined by hamstring, leg and back injuries and although they kept him from having any continuity in his footy, they did teach him some things about using the time constructively.
He worked hard at doing all the little things right in his recovery, gradually building up strength in the joint to withstand the pressures of a game.
Dempsey says simplifying things, like focusing just on his role, has made stepping back into footy easier.
""I have a job, everybody else has a job and when you stick to that you do feel you're doing it really well,"" he says.
""But you just do your job on the footy field and nothing much matters after that.""
With running midfielder David Zaharakis missing the last two weeks with a quad tear and appearing likely to miss a few more, Dempsey has an eye on more midfield time.
He has all the tools to make that move, and has spent more time with midfield coach Simon Goodwin in the past few weeks, but feels he needs to know the structures and set-ups better before committing to it more permanently.
His last month would suggest it shouldn't be a problem if he does, with Dempsey lifting his average to 22 disposals a game in his past four outings.
He was especially effective in the Bombers' final-quarter fight back against the Sydney Swans, but realises his game will probably be remembered for his unlucky moment on the siren.
With the Bombers trailing by four points, Dempsey marked the ball outside 50 with seconds to go. He wheeled out to play on but the siren rang as he was about to send the ball to Essendon's goal line.
He's a bit tired of talking about it, but still thinks he would have been able to make the distance.
""Our game plan is to move the ball on as quickly as possible and get it into our forward line and that was my instinct at the time. I didn't know the time but I can't change it now,"" he said.
""I would have kicked from about 55 out so I probably could have made it.""
Dempsey missed almost all of last year after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in round four and, apart from two weeks out with a slight hamstring niggle, he has been in almost career-best form for the Bombers.
Dempsey has averaged 17 disposals a game, but perhaps more importantly his run, dash and drive have been evident off half-back. Where it left a gaping hole last year, Dempsey's pace and skill has been a big element of Essendon's success so far this year.
The quietly spoken Dempsey admits he had some doubts whether he'd be able to get back to his best so quickly, but says he's now not even thinking about his knee when out on the field. He's uninhibited, and he's liking it.
""I definitely had some doubts, everyone does,"" Dempsey told essendonfc.com.au.
""With a major injury of that calibre, you do have those doubts in the back of your mind but coming back and getting into it earlier than expected really boosted my confidence in knowing I'd be able to come in and play well.
""In saying that, I was a lot better with my off-field stuff and my professionalism with my knee than I have ever been which is helping me now.""
Dempsey is no stranger to injury. The first three years of his career were ruined by hamstring, leg and back injuries and although they kept him from having any continuity in his footy, they did teach him some things about using the time constructively.
He worked hard at doing all the little things right in his recovery, gradually building up strength in the joint to withstand the pressures of a game.
Dempsey says simplifying things, like focusing just on his role, has made stepping back into footy easier.
""I have a job, everybody else has a job and when you stick to that you do feel you're doing it really well,"" he says.
""But you just do your job on the footy field and nothing much matters after that.""
With running midfielder David Zaharakis missing the last two weeks with a quad tear and appearing likely to miss a few more, Dempsey has an eye on more midfield time.
He has all the tools to make that move, and has spent more time with midfield coach Simon Goodwin in the past few weeks, but feels he needs to know the structures and set-ups better before committing to it more permanently.
His last month would suggest it shouldn't be a problem if he does, with Dempsey lifting his average to 22 disposals a game in his past four outings.
He was especially effective in the Bombers' final-quarter fight back against the Sydney Swans, but realises his game will probably be remembered for his unlucky moment on the siren.
With the Bombers trailing by four points, Dempsey marked the ball outside 50 with seconds to go. He wheeled out to play on but the siren rang as he was about to send the ball to Essendon's goal line.
He's a bit tired of talking about it, but still thinks he would have been able to make the distance.
""Our game plan is to move the ball on as quickly as possible and get it into our forward line and that was my instinct at the time. I didn't know the time but I can't change it now,"" he said.
""I would have kicked from about 55 out so I probably could have made it.""
