PORT Adelaide defender Jacob Surjan has admitted he questioned his position at the Power during a 12-week period in 2011 when he played just one AFL game.
Despite being a member of the club's leadership group last year, Surjan spent the vast majority of the season in the SANFL.
He said an ordinary pre-season ensured he entered season 2011 with the wrong approach and it cost him dearly.
"It's a pretty ruthless industry the AFL and you always second-guess yourself, but I knew that if I put in the right preparation and get a good pre-season in I can fight my way back into this team," Surjan said.
"Last year I didn't start running until late December ... I came back [without] the right attitude and it cost me my season."
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Surjan lumped veteran Kane Cornes in the same boat, but insisted they had both come a long way since the end of last year.
"We really work together in that respect, about getting our respect back for ourselves but [also] getting the respect back of our teammates and the coaches," he said.
Surjan was told by coaches to get away at the end of last season - they told him to "get your head right" - and, after a period of self reflection and impressing in the Power's round-one win against St Kilda, he looks to have heeded their call.
"A bit of pride and stuff was hurt, but you get over it pretty quick," he said.
"I had a good 10-week break away and reassessed everything and came back fighting fit and fresh and ready to go.
"I ... owe the club and supporters and myself a good year."
The 26-year-old's outstanding performance in his side's four-point win over the Saints showcased his trademark toughness and desperation; it was certainly a different Jacob Surjan to the one battling for a first-team spot last season.
"This year I came back with the right attitude ... I'm here to play and want to earn my position back and get the respect back from all the team, the coaches and the supporters," he said.
"I really wanted to rectify things and have a strong pre-season and do 100 per cent of it, and came back strong and fit and hopefully it keeps me in good stead for the rest of the year."
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He said he hoped to continue his improvement in the Power's clash with Essendon on Saturday afternoon.
After holding gun forward Stephen Milne to two goals last Sunday, Surjan said there were several players he thought he might line up on, including Mark McVeigh, Angus Monfries, and David Zaharakis.
Harry Thring covers Port Adelaide news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Harry
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL
