Marc Bullen has played 29 games since joining the club in 2000.
He was used off the bench to great effect last year and was awarded a National Rising Star nomination for his efforts. Bullen has shown he knows how to find the footy and also has great finishing skills.This season he has struggled to reproduce the form that he demonstrated in his nine games in 2004. In fairness to him, he also hasn’t enjoyed a lot of game time. The test for Bullen is to make an impact in the opportunities he is given.
Essendon is desperate for a or a few mid-fielders to put their hand up in the second-half of the season and Bullen could be the player to make an impact.
We asked Assistant Coach Mark Harvey about Bullen’s chances of playing a key role in the side in the second half of the season.
Q. Is Bullen a player who can make an impression in the second half of the season?
A. Bullen is a little bit different. He’s in his fourth or fifth year and he has got to put his hand up and convince everyone that he is a consistent mid-fielder. That will go a long in deciding if he plays a big role for the rest of the season.
Q. What attributes of his game can help the club challenge for a top four position?
A. He has got to start to be a creative player and start to make it happen for himself. With that, hopefully we can see a side to Marc Bullen that we all expect.
Q. Last season he was very good coming off the bench and making an impact but has struggled in that role again this year. Do you think this is because he is frustrated by this role?
A. Yes he possibly is a little frustrated by that. He has got to try and get off the bench. That will be determined by what he does when he does come on. The more that he starts to play well when he comes on, the more of a chance he’s got of starting.
