Jesse Lonergan was one of the biggest beneficiaries of the injury curse this season, with Rodney Eade giving him a handful of roles across the ground. The Tasmanian thrived in 2015, fast tracking his development and putting his hand up for a role in Gold Coast’s midfield moving forward.
 
The 21-year-old was forced to wait early in the year, before earning a senior opportunity in round five under new coach Eade. From there, Lonergan played the remaining 18 games of the year, building continuity in his game for the first time in his short career.
 
The big-bodied utility came into the senior setup in round five, performing a role down back as a small defender. Across the next few weeks, he spent time on Eddie Betts, Mark LeCras and Jamie Elliott. For someone who had never played in defence previously, he performed admirably, although the lessons were harsh at times, with All Australian bound Betts getting the better of him on a tough night.
 
Through the middle stages of the year, as a plethora of experienced, seasoned players fell victim to the debilitating injury curse hovering over Metricon Stadium, Lonergan spent time across half forward and through the midfield. Eade’s desire to broaden the playing lists football IQ and ability to play a variety of roles couldn’t have been more evident than with his dealings with Lonergan.
 
Lonergan’s return to the midfield in round 17 against the Crows at Adelaide Oval was a homecoming of sorts, as the former first-round draft pick returned to a spot he felt most comfortable. From there he was utilised as a negating midfielder, performing roles on some of the premier midfielders in the competition.
 
He ran with Scott Thompson, Matt Priddis, Tom Rockliff and Trent Cotchin in an intriguing month that demonstrated his ability to quell some of the best ball winners in the game. Never did he perform a hard-tag in a Cameron Ling or Ryan Crowley manner. Rather his roles provided him with a starting point to work from, an assignment to build his game around. Duties that he executed with aplomb, prompting Eade to say on a number of occasions through the back end that he has a spot there once the stars return in 2016.
 
In that six-week block between rounds 17 and 22, Lonergan averaged 20.3 possessions of his own, to go with 6.2 clearances. Not only was he limiting the influence of All Australians, and a man with a Brownlow medal, he was still winning his own football and extracting it from stoppages in a clinical manner.
 
After managing only 13 appearances in his first two seasons at the highest level, due to form and injury, Lonergan demonstrated how valuable he can be, particularly with his versatility and ability to adapt in games.
 
During a season of injury carnage, the young midfielder was one of a handful to follow the silver lining theme and demonstrate how beneficial increased exposure can be. Regardless of whether it is premature or not.