Anderson says he can get back form

JED Anderson says he is finally back in position to rediscover the form that nearly made him a Hawthorn premiership player.

The North Melbourne utility was unlucky to be overlooked for the 2015 premiership side after a slashing VFL preliminary final performance.

Seemingly on the brink of something special at Hawthorn, he instead endured a series of freak setbacks as well as a trade to North Melbourne.

Multiple hamstring injuries, a shoulder reconstruction and severe pneumonia all halted his progress.

This year Anderson decided to fund his own trip to Utah to boost his pre-season, tagging along with a group of Kangaroos on a club-appointed trip.

Even then he missed a chunk of the pre-season with a broken thumb that still saw him able to continue running.

The 24-year-old is out of contract at season’s end but confident he can again display the form that saw him rated such an exciting prospect.

Traded in a deal that saw North Melbourne hand over picks 15 and 55 for Hawthorn’s 38 and 40, the Roos will also be eager to get some return on investment.

“I feel like I am in that position where everything is set up for me to go and attack it and play my natural football game,” he said.

“That’s to run forward and tackle and pressure and I felt like the last few weeks I have been able to do that and contribute to the team.

“I have had a good pre-season and my body is in good nick and if I can get a good run at it, I will stay in the side.”

Last week’s horrific conditions in Cairns might have intimidated some but to Anderson, one of the Roos’ better players, they were nothing new.

“It was pretty wet but I have played a bit of footy like that back home in Darwin,” he said. “The ball was slippery but it was just about driving it forward.”

Anderson is thrilled to be playing his first Good Friday game, with sons Elijah, 5, and Jasiah, 3, at times needing care from the Royal Melbourne Hospital.’

“It is awesome to be play- ing. We have been in hospital a couple of times and they do an amazing job in there. They put the kids first and they do a great job so we can’t thank them enough,” he said.

Anderson is aware North Melbourne has been patient but is adamant he can do enough this year to prove he belongs at Arden Street.

“It’s just the start of the year and I want to play really good footy. I have loved my time at the club and if I keep playing consistent footy I can get a deal,” he said.

“If it comes it comes. I will let my footy to the talking.”