WHEN forward Jay Schulz first arrived at Alberton, after seven indifferent seasons at Richmond, he had a point to prove.
The 25-year-old had failed to deliver consistently on the promise he showed as a 2002 first-round draft pick and spent his last year at Punt Road running around with Coburg in the VFL.
But instead of using his key strengths - contested marking and long kicking - to make an impact at his new club, Schulz decided to build respect from the ground up.
The former Woodville-West Torrens junior had the traits of a man fighting desperately for his career in his first game for the Power, against North Melbourne in round one.
He finished the game with a modest 11 possessions, but laid six tackles and had his head split open twice through his willingness to put his body on the line.
"That's what I really wanted to pride myself on when I first got here," Schulz said of his defensive efforts and one-percenters.
"I worked hard to make sure my fitness was up on what it was last year, so that I'd be able to do those hard things, like the chases, the tackles and the second efforts. I just wanted to play as a bigger-bodied player, who could bring the ball to ground and make a contest for the other boys.
"That was what I wanted to hang my hat on when I first got here, but I've had a chat to the coaches since and they told me that I'm at the stage now where I'm doing those things each week, so they have to be a given from now on."
Schulz's second game against the Roos in Power colours was also significant, but for a different reason.
With focal point Warren Tredrea sidelined with injury, Schulz was moved deeper in the forward line and relished the rare opportunity of being the go-to man, kicking a career-best seven goals in a losing side.
Schulz has kicked multiple goals in every game since that round 13 clash, including a match-winning four-goal haul against Hawthorn two weeks ago.
The goalkicker has struggled for confidence throughout his 84-game career and sees a psychologist on a weekly basis to help him battle his mental demons.
He openly admits to being his own worst critic, but says he's slowly learning to focus more on the positives.
"Confidence is a funny thing and it's a very hard feeling sometimes. The main thing with me is not getting too down on myself when I'm not going so well," Schulz said.
"Even during games now when I've been playing better footy I haven't been having good quarters, but I find that I'm thinking a different way now [to what I would have in the past].
"I'm feeling like I'm still in it and not wasted for the rest of the game. I feel like I can still fight my way back in and give something to the team when I'm out there."
The decision for Schulz to leave Richmond was a mutual one and the trade could prove to be win-win for both clubs, with young defender Mitch Farmer - a direct swap for Schulz - also finding his feet in the AFL.
The move to Adelaide has reunited Schulz with his family, but it's proved tough for his Tasmanian-born fiancee, Amy.
It's also denied Schulz a chance to continue his burgeoning career as a rookie elephant keeper - the Adelaide Zoo doesn't have any elephants - but regardless he says he's enjoying every minute of his time with the Power.
"I'm grateful Port have given me another chance and I'd like to think I've got a few more years of footy in front of me," he said.
"I think I can continue to play good footy, continue to grow and be a better player than what I am now. There are lots of challenges for me along the way, but hopefully I can deal with them and be the player that I want to be."
