EDFL 2019: Greenvale captain Addam Maric returning to his best

Greenvale skipper Addam Maric discusses his form in 2019 as he looks for more luck after he was limited to just nine games last season .

Star skipper Addam Maric has played all eight games for Greenvale this season. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Greenvale skipper Addam Maric is approaching full fitness and hopeful he can hit the lofty heights of two seasons ago as the EDFL Premier Division club chases its first flag since 2013.

The former Richmond and Melbourne player has featured in all eight games for the Jets this season in a sizeable boost after he was limited to nine appearances the previous year.

Maric produced a magnificent individual campaign in 2017, booting 71 goals in 21 games from the midfield as his team progressed to the grand final.

But the 29-year-old damaged his hamstring in the decider against Aberfeldie and was beset by groin issues and osteitis pubis during 2018, robbing Greenvale of one of its blue-chip players.

After a late start to pre-season, Maric is building in confidence in an ominous sign for the Jets’ rivals.

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“I didn’t really start running until the end of February,” Maric said.

“When you compare it to most guys who have been running and training since October, as you get a bit older it gets a bit harder to catch up.

“Each week I’m feeling better and having a lot of byes through the first half of the year has really helped.

“I’m training basically full on at the moment.

“I’d like to think within the next month or so, I’d be at 100 per cent where I’m not really worried about my loads or my body in any way.

“Hopefully I can train and play as I wish and not be worried about game time and coming on and off the ground.”

Maric has spent more time in the middle of the ground in recent weeks, which would gladden the hearts of Greenvale fans.

The Jets have lost games to Aberfeldie, Keilor and Strathmore this season and will need their captain firing at the pointy end if they are any hope of hoisting the silverware.

“My form has been a bit like the team — good in patches and not so great at other times,” Maric said.

“If I can get a bit more continuity with my form and training and the team can mirror that as well, we can put a pretty good back end of the season together.

“I’d much prefer to be playing 70 per cent midfield, 30 per cent forward rather than the other way round.”

Maric said his time on the sidelines had made him hungrier to help Greenvale taste success in the top flight.

“It’s always hard to see the boys playing without you, especially as a captain when you go through some tough losses and tough times,” he said.

“It does help you rediscover a bit of a love for the footy club. Even though you are there around the club … if you’re not out there playing with them, it’s not the same.

“I’m loving just playing again. I’m a bit like a kid in a candy store this year. I’m one of the older guys but I’m probably running around the club like one of the younger ones.”

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