Hogan hardens up for big year

Dee spearhead aims for stars

MELBOURNE spearhead Jesse Hogan says he is ready to bounce back from the toughest year of his life and help to break the club’s finals drought this season.

The star full-forward underwent surgery to remove testicular cancer in May last year, only two months after his father, Tony, died after his own battle with cancer.

The heavy toll affected Hogan’s form on the field with the 23-year-old booting 20 goals from 10 games as the Demons missed finals on percentage.

But the hulking forward said a complete pre-season had put him in the best shape of his 51-game career heading into Sunday’s blockbuster season opener against Geelong.

“I have really put a lot of time into my body over the pre-season and I really want to go to the next level and become a standout forward in the game,” Hogan said.

“It’s been nice to not worry about anything injury-wise and put time into all facets of my game. Being able to become more of a complete player is what’s been in the back of my mind.”

The West Australian said he was grateful for Melbourne’s support through his personal hardships last season and revealed the experiences had given him a fresh look on life.

“Reflecting on it now is still pretty tough, even though I’ve come out the other side,” he said.

“Obviously we have got such good people around in the footy clubs these days you wouldn’t want to be anywhere else when you go through something like that.

“But for me I guess it just puts life into perspective.

“I hadn’t had any issues in my life and I hadn’t lost a family member so it was pretty heavy [losing his father] and then having my own [health scare].

“You realise it can happen to anyone and it sort of teaches you to zoom out on footy.

“But it is very easy to take your job for granted as an AFL player and to get complacent but I just want to make the most of every minute.”

Hogan was speaking yesterday as Melbourne revealed that the luxury car manufacturer Infiniti had signed a seven-figure sponsorship deal with the club.

It adds to the significant on and off-field momentum surrounding Melbourne with the club in possibly its best position since John Northey led the Dees to five straight top-four finishes in 1987-91.

Hogan said the club had made huge progress since he arrived at its lowest ebb.

“My first year, 2013, most Melbourne supporters would say we bombed out to the worst we have been,” Hogan said.

“I had three coaches in my first year and we have turned over more players than any other team in that five-year period, so we have come a fair way.

“We didn’t make finals last year so we can’t say we are there yet, but if you look at the list we’ve got and talent we’ve got and with Simon Goodwin [as coach] it’s a super exciting time.”