Carlton banking on new Blood
Michael Stevens
04nov05

JASON Saddington will have his first chance to impress Carlton coach Denis Pagan in today's time-trial around Princes Park.

But returning to Melbourne from Sydney has already been a win-win situation for the former Mitcham boy.
"I'm pretty happy and comfortable being back down here, catching up with old friends that I played footy with," Saddington said yesterday.

"Just being able to have them over for dinner, just being a bit more social with a lot of other people outside the footy club.

"And my wife Cassie, she's got family and friends down here as well because she grew up in Rosebud."

After eight seasons and 142 games with the Swans, Saddington, 26, felt a change of environment would help his career after it stagnated this year.

A left knee reconstruction, which saw him miss the last 14 games in 2004, was partly responsible.

Although he returned in quick time, he was unable to cement a spot in the Swans' premiership line-up.

"Nothing really went wrong in Sydney," Saddington said.

"Coming back from the knee injury, I missed the pre-season and didn't play my first game until Round 1, so I had to play a few games in the reserves in the Canberra competition.

"I managed to work my way back into the senior side about Round 7 against Essendon*, played about three or four games on and off the bench, but couldn't get a good crack at it.

"Then back in the twos for a week, back in the ones for another few games, same thing, on and off the bench.

"In the second half of the year, I went back to the twos again, and I suppose the senior side didn't have any injuries and they were playing really well.

"So the opportunity didn't come up to get back in, which was frustrating and really disappointing to miss out (on the flag)."

For all that, coach Paul Roos told Saddington he was welcome to continue with the club.

" `Roosy' said, `We didn't think things went real bad for you. We know you're a better player than what happened this year, but obviously the opportunity didn't come up'," Saddington said.

"But I thought if I did have another season where things didn't go my way like this year, it would be very difficult for me to go to another club."

The Swans premiership was based around the mantra of the Bloods, and that edict is something Saddington will bring with him to the Blues.

"I guess I learned you've just got to put in all the time and not let your teammates down because if you're the one who lets them down it could cost the team the game," he said.

At 193cm and 93kg, Saddington has signed to a two-year deal and feels he can fit into a defensive role at Carlton.

"I spoke to Denis a couple of days before the trade went through (for Carlton's pick No. 52) and then I came down and met him a couple of weeks ago," he said.

"He said he wanted another taller player in the backline; that's a role I used to play in the first five years at the Swans."

The Swans premiership was based around the mantra of the Bloods, and that edict is something Saddington will bring with him to the Blues.

"I guess I learned you've just got to put in all the time and not let your teammates down because if you're the one who lets them down it could cost the team the game," he said.

Seems he could teach some of our older players over the past few years a thing or two, one soon to be Bomber in particular.
Lets hope he can keep fit and contribute significantly to our undersized backline.

One point that I don't think has been mentioned until KK almost touched on it is the fact that both Saddington and McLaren (he looks to be with us) have both come from clubs with great leaders and a very strong culture of mental toughness.

One point that I don't think has been mentioned until KK almost touched on it is the fact that both Saddington and McLaren (he looks to be with us) have both come from clubs with great leaders and a very strong culture of mental toughness.