Jesse Lonergan has gone back to school this season. As part of the evolving red and yellow tapestry under new coach Rodney Eade, football education has become a priority; a major focus during a tumultuous year at Metricon Stadium. But one that could, and should, reap rewards in the years to come.
 
The Tasmanian was drafted as an inside midfielder, renowned for his ability to extract the ball from stoppages and feed the ball out to runners on the outside. Under Eade, Lonergan begun his year on a half-back flank, opposed to some of the more destructive small and medium-sized forwards in the game.
 
Despite never previously playing there in his life, the purpose of the exercise wasn’t to transform him into a defender, rather to broaden his knowledge of the game and to provide him with another view of the game.
 
The lessons were harsh and fast, with Adelaide goal sneak Eddie Betts booting five goals in his second game in defence. But the education side of the move was highly beneficial, especially when you get a better understanding of how the jigsaw puzzle will look down the track, once all the parts are in the right positions.
 
“I guess early days he’s seen some weaknesses when I was in the midfield. I was always a ball hunter and not reading the play as well as my opponent. I got into some bad habits with that,” Lonergan told ABC Grandstand’s Northern Frontier.
 
“Playing off the half back, it’s easier to see where the game’s going and you can read it as well. His idea was to try and read the game a bit better and also try and get my knowledge of the game improving as well.
 
“Early days I was playing on the likes of Eddie Betts and [Mark] LeCras and [Jamie] Elliot – I had my hands full for quite a few weeks.
 
“I had a few bags kicked on me but it was a great experience down there learning off Steven May and Kade Kolodjashnij, and even having Nick Malceski, I learnt a lot.”
 
In the last month, the big-bodied onballer has returned to his favoured area of the ground and with profound effect. Although, the education process is far from over, with Eade now using Lonergan in a run with role to continue his schooling.
 
The Tasmanian’s first role back in the midfield was on former All Australian Scott Thompson. Next was reigning Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis, then 2014 All Australian and serial ball magnet Tom Rockliff. And then to round out a difficult month: Richmond captain Trent Cotchin in his 150th game. Talk about a school of hard knocks.
 
“Obviously they’re class players, they’ve all been All Australians at some stage in their careers. I guess that’s the level I want to get to so just getting an idea of how they go about it, how they run, how they gut run, their running patterns, just their technique in the contest too was just a really good experience,” Lonergan said.
 
“I played on Scott Thompson in Adelaide and Trent Cotchin last week, Tommy Rockliff who can also rack up high numbers. It’s just learning the game a bit more, a bit more education and trying to find the footy at the same time. It’s been a tough four weeks, but I’m just loving playing in the midfield again.”
 
A never-before-seen injury toll at Metricon Stadium this season has opened the door for inexperienced players, like Lonergan, to sink their teeth into difficult assignment that may not have been presented to them with a clean bill of health.
 
Whilst the results haven’t been great in terms of win-loss, the fast tracking of development and learning on the job has been invaluable. A reflective Lonergan is grateful of the added exposure to senior football. And although the learning’s have been difficult to cop at certain times, he knows his football is better for the exposure.
 
“It’s been a massive year for the guys that have only played a handful of games like myself. I guess with all the injuries it’s been pretty harsh on the club,” Lonergan said.
 
“But its given young guys opportunities to stand up, like myself, Henry Schade’s played a handful of games this year, Jack Leslie as well, and Clay Cameron when he comes in and obviously Kade Kolodjashnij as well he’s really stood up this year. All the injuries has been a blessing in disguise in that regard.”