2002: Two games and 20 possessions was a modest return in 2002 but Marc Bullen still looks capable of making the grade. Injury made life tough for Bullen in 2002 – an ankle was the major problem but there were other niggles that conspired to see him spend too much time on the sidelines. He would almost certainly have played more senior football that he did had he been able to string games together in the VFL side. All that said, he did look pretty good in the two games he played and Essendon fans will have plenty to look forward to from a fully fit Marc Bullen. Against Fremantle in Round 21 he collected 15 possessions in less than a half of football and did so playing on the highly-rated Paul Hasleby.

Strengths: Bullen has been compared to Joe Misiti in the way he goes about his football and it is no surprise that his strength – like Misiti – is his ability to find the football. Bullen also has excellent endurance that enables him to spend long periods in the midfield. Tackling is also a feature of Bullen’s game – he laid six in the two games he played in 2002.

Position: Bullen is a genuine midfielder and that is where he will play all his football. He finds the football, is hard at it and does good things with it when he gets it. He must step up this season and compliment the likes of Jason Johnson and Joe Misiti.

2003: This shapes as a very important season for Bullen – injuries have made his first two seasons with the club anything but ideal but if he can put them behind him he will be a very good player for the Bombers. Another current midfielder – Jason Johnson – had a similarly difficult start to his career. Essendon fans will be hoping Bullen can steel himself, put the setbacks behind him and follow in the footsteps of Johnson. Essendon supporters should keep a very close eye on the progress of Bullen in 2003.

Sheedy says:Mark is a tough, hard-nosed player from Shepparton. He was unlucky with injuries last year and needs to have a good year this year. Enormous improvement possible if he takes on the challenge, in time he could become a top centre player.