The talented centre-half-back played 22 matches for the Demons in 2004 but had a dose of reality last year when suspension and a broken hand restricted him to 14 senior matches, leaving him sitting on the sidelines for Melbourne's brief finals campaign.
The 21-year-old freely admits it was a frustrating transition and he's consulted numerous teammates and mentors about managing the ups-and-downs of professional football.
"I can't hide the fact that it was (a frustrating season). I had a good 2004 and a not-so-good 2005, so this year I've got to really step up and take on a key role and I'm looking forward to the challenge," Rivers told afl.com.au.
After winning the NAB AFL Rising Star award, Rivers was suddenly under closer attention from the opposition in 2005.
Facing bigger and stronger opponents meant the lean defender wasn't able to punish teams with his excellent reading of the play and run out of defence with as much ease.
He also accepted a two-match suspension for striking Hawthorn's Ben Dixon in round eight and spent an extra week in the VFL before returning to the seniors.
Rivers suffered his broken hand against Fremantle in round 17 in the middle of the Demons' seven-match losing streak.
The injury kept him on the sidelines for three weeks and he wasn't rushed straight back into the seniors as the Dees rediscovered their winning form with three thrilling victories to make the finals.
Rivers says he's learned plenty from his rollercoaster ride in the AFL, from three matches in his debut season in 2003 to the breakthrough season in 2004 and the frustrations of 2005.
"That's footy now. I've talked to a few boys around the club and you've just got to work through your ups and downs throughout the whole year," he said.
"I learned a lot, which hopefully I can improve on in the next couple of years."
