Jack opens up about early woes

IN-FORM midfielder Jack Redden admits he feared his teammates didn’t rate him after struggling in his early days at West Coast.

Redden crossed from Brisbane to West Coast at the end of 2015, but it didn’t take long for self doubts to surface.

The 27-year-old arrived at West Coast with a hernia issue that required surgery, and his form fluctuated during his first season.

Redden (pictured) improved slightly last year, but it has taken until this season for him to truly flourish.

The former Lion has averaged 25 disposals and five clearances a game this year, with his work at the stoppages proving crucial.

“I came here at a funny time. I thought I had diagnosed my groin pains, but I hadn’t,” Redden reflected on his early days at West Coast.

“It took a full pre-season to actually work out what was wrong with me – I had a hernia in my stomach.

“So I was pretty underdone, because I was playing with that hernia for two years at Brisbane. It’s frustrating trying to prepare and coming into a new side when you don’t have the strength and the fitness that you want to have.”

Struggling for form, Redden couldn’t help but doubt himself, especially as the outside pressures grew.

“When you’re not going as well as you want, you start to think your teammates don’t rate you. And then you get a bit of negative media, and then you start to doubt yourself.

“I think that’s only natural. But I’m glad I could stick it out. I think I’ve come out the other side a stronger and better player.”