Marc Bullen had an exceptional first season with the Bombers. Essendon picked up the Murray Bushrangers captain with its fourth selection (63rd overall) at the 2000 National Draft and his first season return included two senior games and the VFL side best and fairest award. It was more than both Bullen and the club would have expected from his first year at AFL level.
Bullen plays his football very much in the mould of Joe Misiti. He isn’t overly blessed with speed but he has that happy knack of finding the football and being in the right place at the right time. Tough and hard at the football, he will have benefited enormously from his first season at AFL level.
Bullen’s initial chance came as a result of Essendon poor run with injuries in 2001 but he won’t want to rely on that in 2002. He is a certain starter in the Bomber’s pre-season competition sides and it is there that he will push his case. He is definitely one of a group of players who could take that next step and make a difference for the Bombers in 2002.
How will he be used?
Marc is very much a mid-fielder. He doesn’t have the height to play forward or back. Whether in the senior side or the VFL side the centre square is where he will set up camp. He will be used to set up the Bombers run through the mid-field and with experience it is something he will do very effectively.
What will the coaches want on match day?
The Essendon coaches will want to see Marc have an impact when he is thrust in the action. With the likes of Joe Misiti, Jason Johnson, Justin Blumfield, Chris Heffernan and Damien Peverill spending a lot of time in the middle, Marc will in all likelihood be used in short bursts off the bench. The coaches will want him to find the football and ensure the Bombers mid-field presence is maintained.
