A 17-game season in a team that went on to play a Preliminary Final is nothing to be scoffed at, but for Aaron Mullett it was one to forget.
After a breakout year in 2013, in which he finished fourth in the NAB Rising Star, the 22-year-old admits he never really got going in 2014.
Toe surgery in the off-season clearly had an impact on Mullett’s customary dash out of the back half, particularly late in the campaign.
"It was obviously pretty disappointing. The year before was a good year for me and I really wanted to back it up," he told NMFC.com.au from Utah.
"In the pre-season I couldn’t do leg weights and I felt like I lost a bit of spring. The footy came with that and I just couldn’t get going really.
"I just struggled a little bit, especially late. The body didn’t cope as well as I thought it would have.
"I started getting little niggles and just couldn’t get the body right. It affected my footy big time."
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Mullett is making no excuses, understanding the need to get a full summer under his belt.
"I’m looking forward to this pre-season more than any, because I know when I get my body right I can play good footy," he added.
"This Utah trip is massive for me, just getting that base so when we get back to Melbourne I can hit the ground running.
"The coaches are expecting big things from me, and I’ve got pressure on me now to perform, so I’m really looking forward to the challenge."
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While getting back to full fitness is paramount, Mullett admits the balance between attack and defence was another challenge in 2014.
Gaining a reputation for his ability to go forward and kick goals, the defender is also well aware of the need to shut down the opposition.
"I thought a couple of years ago I did that well; I found the right balance, but last year I just got caught out a few times. That’s just something I need to improve on and keep working on."
As North continues to improve its list, Mullett is excited for the future, the battle for spots down back only providing further motivation to get back to his best.
"There’s a number of players that can play that role (running out of defence) and I think that’s a good thing, but when I’m playing my good footy there’s a spot for me there," he said.
"I’m looking forward to the challenge to get my spot back."
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