A BLUNT message to Aaron Mullett sparked a quick rise for the exciting North defender.
A second round selection in the 2011 rookie draft, Mullett's determination to play senior football was realised late in the same year when he was upgraded to the senior list and played the last three games of season.
He then played four of the first six games of North's 2012 campaign before an extended period in the VFL.
Bluntly, he was told he needed to improve the defensive side of his game if he wanted to be a mainstay of the senior side.
"I just needed to be more defensive in my mindset and I really took that on board," he said.
"If I do that and play my role, the coach is going to give me games."
The improvement came and so did the reward. Mullett was permanently upgraded to the senior list at season's end.
After a brilliant performance against Geelong on Sunday, he was also rewarded with a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination.
"Going into the season I wasn't really sure where I sat with the team but Brad Scott gave me a go in round one and after a couple of good performances it's been rewarding and pretty exciting," Mullett said.
Predominately a midfielder during his junior days at Melbourne's Vermont football club and with the Eastern Ranges in the TAC Cup, the 21-year-old has embraced his evolution into an attacking half-back flanker.
"I trained all pre-season as a half-back, I've taken it on board and I've got a great defensive coach in Shane Watson," he said.
"I want to be able to play on the small forwards one-on-one, use my run and carry and my kicking.
"I'm really enjoying every minute off it."
Such is the coaching staff's faith in Mullett's laser-like left foot and judgment, they've entrusted him with one games toughest jobs.
"I think the more you take the kick-ins, the more it comes to you," Mullett said.
"I don't really think about it too much now, you've just got to relax and hit the right option."
Another responsibly he's looking to embrace at Aegis Park is leadership.
And fortunately for Mullett, leadership runs in the family with his older brother Ryan the captain and star player with his junior club Vermont.
"Ryan always comes to my games, I get a lot from the way he plays and he always gives me feedback," he said.
"He's one of the biggest influences on my career so far."
But for now Mullett is concentrating on the present and has a simple goal for the remainder of the season.
"I just want to hold my spot and play consistent football so Brad doesn't have an excuse to drop me," he said.
