GEELONG has made Jordan Murdoch work hard for a senior berth this season but he delivered when it mattered most against the Hawks at the MCG on Saturday night.
Murdoch played a match-changing role in Geelong's rousing 10-point win over Hawthorn, finishing with a game-high three goals from his 17 possessions.
Murdoch enjoyed a blessed first season at the Cattery in 2012, playing eight games in his debut season including last year's elimination final against Fremantle.
But his second season with the Cats has not gone as smoothly.
The second-year forward has been shunted in and out of the side this season, with the Geelong coaching staff demanding he improve his defensive pressure and the contested side of his game.
He's lacked continuity and consistency. Until now.
"I'm extremely happy. We've got a bit of faith in Jordan," Geelong coach Chris Scott said on Saturday night.
"He's been a little bit up and down, at times, this year.
"We know he's a talented player and he's got some fantastic attributes but I think our players are really warming to having him in the team."
Murdoch said the Cats coaching staff had spelled it out pretty clearly to him that he would not be in the side until that side of his game was up to scratch.
"I had a few things to work on, and really put my head down and worked on them, and was really determined to get back in the side," Murdoch said.
Scott said the football world can expect big things from Murdoch if the defensive side of his game catches up with his natural attacking exploits.
"He's (Murdoch) always going to attack pretty well, but some of the contested work and some of his defensive pressure is getting to the level that we need it to be," Scott said.
"If he can get that to a very high level he's going to be an outstanding AFL player."
Ben Guthrie is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_BenGuthrie
