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PAUL Seedsman admits to finding Monday's grinding win against Demons, in which the scores were 8.13 to 3.10, a frustrating affair.
"It was the lowest-scoring game I can remember since the under-9s where there's 18 blokes around the ball," Seedsman said.
"It was frustrating in the sense that we couldn't break the game open.
"Full credit to Melbourne. They played a very defensive-minded game, but they did it well.
"That's just the way it was, and good teams have to adapt and win, and that's what we did."
In a match unlikely to be replayed by many nostalgic fans, the dash shown by the Collingwood half-back was one of the genuine highlights.
And after gathering 18 disposals, taking seven marks and tallying a team-high 10 running bounces, the 22-year-old, who was grounded by a hip operation earlier this year, is confident that his best form is not far away.
"I was behind the eight-ball having the surgery over the pre-season," Seedsman said.
"I missed most of the training. I only had about two weeks of pre-season, so I'm slowly getting there."
Paul Seedsman sprints away from the Demons at the MCG on Monday. Picture: AFL Media
Seedsman returned via the VFL in late April and played four matches at that level before returning to Collingwood's AFL side for its round 11 clash with St Kilda.
"I just need the run in the legs, and obviously every game is invaluable for me for match-fitness and all those things," he said.
"I'm a work in progress, and I've just got to keep improving every week. And I feel like I'm getting better every week.
"You just lose that edge towards the end of the quarters, so that's an area where I want to improve – to be consistent from the start of the quarter to the end of the quarter."
Seedsman started the clash with the Saints in the sub's vest, but he was thrown into the fray after Nick Maxwell was subbed out with a calf problem.
He finished that game with 18 touches, then made a greater impact in the soccer-style battle of the backlines that was the contest with Melbourne.
"All the boys out there just say, 'Get the ball and run. Take the game on'," he said.
"Most of the boys know if there's a bit of space I'm going to take it.
"Unfortunately, I didn't hit too many targets today [his disposal efficiency was 66 per cent]. But hopefully in the coming weeks that will start to happen."
Pies coach Nathan Buckley has been impressed by Seedsman's progress.
"We tried to ease him in last week, but he ended up playing three quarters," Buckley said.
"His run and his drive is really important for us, but his defensive positioning in that role is equally as crucial.
"He's a quality player with a lot of talent, and we'll give him every chance to optimise that and prove he's in the best 22 for us."
Seedsman was particularly happy that Melbourne was restricted to its lowest score against Collingwood since 1960.
"We're a defence-minded team," he said. "It's always defend first, then attack.
"So to keep any side to three goals is a really solid effort and something we can be proud of."
Twitter: @AFL_AdamMcNicol
