Bullen is keen to build on the form he showed in the 2003 season where he played the last 16 games and received a National Rising Star nomination. The 21-year-old sat down with the coaches at the end of last season to seek advice on where he needs to improve.
""They were pretty happy with my year overall. The one thing that they mentioned to me was instead of resting on the bench after I have been in the mid-field, I need to build my fitness up over the pre-season. Hopefully I can be rested on the half-forward flank instead of going to the bench all the time. I am using this pre-season to get my engine up,"" Bullen said.
Bullen looks lean and is hungry for success. He has been working hard on the track and knows he has to be at optimum fitness to get a spot in the Bombers’ mid-field. ""There is a lot of competition at our footy club for mid-field spots. As long as I work hard over the pre-season and show early form in the Wizard Cup games, there is no reason why I can’t step up and help out the two Johnson’s and the likes of those guys. I want to establish myself and not be a tagger all the time. I want to play every game and also contribute on the scoreboard,"" Bullen said.
Bullen doesn't have to look far for inspiration on how to become a top mid-fielder. He has called on advice from a number of the senior players at the club including captain James Hird. ""Last year in particular, Hirdy took me aside and had a few chats to me about where I can get better. He has been a really good help to me.""
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