ADELAIDE forward Jason Porplyzia understands his time is “now or never”.
The 29-year-old is out of contract again at the end of the season after being granted a one-year extension last September. Injury disrupted his 2013 pre-season and then he got stuck playing as Adelaide's sub, but the bottom line was that he booted just 13 goals his lowest return since he kicked 10 in his debut year of 2006.
Porplyzia told AFL.com.au that he wasn't past his best but that if he didn't produce it this season, he might not get another opportunity.
"I certainly think I've got a lot of footy left in me and I'm not winding down, I'm not coming to the end of my career, I still think I've got a lot to offer," Porplyzia said.
"If I'm going to show that it's got to be this year because if I don't show it this year then that could be it. It is sort of now or never.”
The strong-marking, straight-kicking forward has looked a man on a mission this pre-season.
Although ankle surgery hindered the lead-up to his 2013 campaign, Porplyzia has hardly missed a session this summer in his push to share time between the midfield and forward line. Having experienced life as a regular substitute last year he's keen to avoid such a fate this season.
Porplyzia said playing as a sub from week to week made it difficult to build any momentum and form.
"I'm no different from anyone else, I need to be training and playing and I just wasn't getting that at the start of the season," he said.
"I reckon I worked out at one point I played the equivalent of two-and-a-half games in eight weeks or something.
"It's not the role I'd want to be playing this year. I think the disappointment of last year has driven me through the pre-season and I want to make sure I leave no stone unturned to not be in that position again.”
Porplyzia knows what coach Brenton Sanderson wants from him in 2014: defensive pressure.
With the arrival of Eddie Betts as the club's premier small forward and a host of players capable of playing the role, the Crows won't carry an underperforming forward for long. Sanderson told Porplyzia that if he wasn't finding the ball and converting, he needed to impact the game in other ways.
"Feedback from Sando was to probably work more on the defensive side to my game, he said if you're not hitting the scoreboard and kicking goals then you need to stay involved in the game," he said.
"He was pretty open and honest about that. I just tried to take that on board and work on it over the summer. I wanted to make sure I came back in good shape and try and complete as many sessions as I can
“I've done that so far and have really been able to get through the pre-season unscathed.”
Porplyzia will line up in Adelaide's opening NAB Challenge match against Port Adelaide on Sunday.
The game, which starts at 4:10pm, will be broadcast live on Fox Footy.
Get rolling updates by following the Club’s official Twitter account @Adelaide_FC and log onto afc.com.au post-match for a full match report and interviews.
Get behind ‘Porps’ and the team this season. Join the Club as a member. View the full range of 2014 memberships.
