Not much fazes Western Bulldogs key forward Jack Redpath.
The Kyneton product doesn’t complain, he just gets on with business.
Hip surgery derailed Redpath’s pre-season, and as the games started rolling through, his touch, timing and confidence was noticeably impaired. Redpath struggled to find form but he didn’t make excuses, he just kept at it.
Fortuitously for Redpath, an injury to fellow man mountain Tom Boyd, coupled with Luke Beveridge's desire to have a tall target to complement playmakers Jake Stringer and Luke Dahlhaus, allowed him to continue building on his AFL career against Adelaide in round seven.
The 22-year-old immediately recaptured some of last year’s form kicking eight goals in three games, all of which were victories.
Redpath points to Beveridge as a key part of his growth as a footballer, but he also speaks glowingly of the "massive impact" West Coast premiership forward Ash Hansen has had on him.
The Bulldogs' development coach has taught him – amongst other things – not to fret about his footballing future, but to expect the rewards that come with buying into a team-first approach.
"Ash was really big for me last year when I was worrying about getting back in the team rather than doing everything right first," Redpath said.
"He said I don't need to be a 200-game player, it's more important to play your role and things can happen."
With Tom Boyd set to push for senior selection soon, Redpath believes that he and the 2013 No.1 pick can form a more than capable duo up forward.
"Since Tom has been at the club I don't think either of us have been playing our best footy so we could play together," Redpath, who's kicked 29 career goals, said.
"I'd love to have another tall down there to help Jake (Stringer) and myself.
"I'm sure it could work."
- with Ryan Davidson
No fuss, no frills, just play
Not much fazes Western Bulldogs key forward Jack Redpath.