What was even more impressive was the fact he played all 22 home and away matches that season, which included an NAB AFL Rising Star nomination. Cruelly, Bartram was denied an opportunity to play in his first finals series after he badly tore ankle ligaments against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium in round 22.
Still, the determined Demon worked his way back and played in the opening round of the 2007 season before bad luck struck again -- this time a knee injury, sustained at training before round two. It ultimately forced him out for the rest of the season.
"It was obviously a very frustrating year. I sat on the sidelines from round two until round 22 last year, so it was not an ideal season," Bartram told melbournefc.com.au.
Bartram's recuperation initially saw him back in training withint seven weeks but that turned out to be too soon.
"Unfortunately the knee wasn't happy with the training load and it hadn't quite healed right.
"So I had to go back in and see the doctor, get it flushed out and have another operation, and around round 11 they said to me: 'Your season is over', which was pretty disappointing to hear, considering you work so hard to get back."
Bartram said his frustrations of dealing with the injury were only complicated when he heard rumours surrounding his setback.
"It was pretty frustrating because people were telling me: 'I've heard you'll never play again'," Bartram said.
"I went and had a chat to the doctors and said: 'Is there something you're not telling me?' They just said: 'No, people are just going to talk'.
"That's when you really stick close to your family and friends, and both my family and friends have been fantastic for me … They help you through the tough times and they're there to ride with you through the good times."
The likable 20-year-old said he is "thankful" for the club's support last year.
"After the second operation, I was a bit mentally flat and I spoke to the club and said: 'Do you mind if I have a couple of weeks off and go home and do my own thing'. They said: 'That's not a problem, because you won't be playing for the rest of the year'," Bartram said.
"That freshened me up and it was a good chance to go back home and spend some time with mum and dad and my two sisters … I was also finishing off year 12 last year, so it was a good opportunity to get everything out of the way.
"Now I can focus back on footy this year."
Bartram pointed out that there were many others who joined him in Melbourne's injury rehabilitation group last year when the club was rocked by injury, and said it made him appreciate the good times he had experienced in 2006.
He is now eager to play his part in helping the club out of its trough.
"[I've experienced] the highs and lows of football in my first two years and it was something I had no control over," Bartram said.
"Having a good first year, it's now made me hungrier having sat out the second year, so I'm really looking forward to trying to turn things around for us this year."
And although Bartram's pre-season was interrupted again, he has still managed to play four of the five rounds in 2008, missing just the season opener when he was still returning to full fitness via some practice hit outs with Sandringham.
It is a fine effort considering Bartram has made just five appearances since the final home and away round in 2006.
Even in his time out, he has noticed a significant difference in the pace of the game.
"I had an interrupted pre-season and I didn't start running until after Christmas, so the legs weren't just quite run in," Bartram said.
"But I've noticed a big change in the game. The thing that I've noticed the most is the speed at which the game is being played – it's frantic and straight in and out.
"I was only out for a year, but I just can't believe how quick it is now and it's obviously taken me a while to pick up the pace. I'm finally starting to catch up with it now."
