It has been a roller coaster ride to 100 games and Jake Carlisle knows that better than anyone else. There have been ups and downs, a supplement saga and a move from one club to another. But now he is settled at Linen House Centre and finding his feet at the centre of St Kilda’s defence.
Drafted with pick No. 24 in 2009, the pick after new teammate Koby Stevens, the athletic key defender played 85 games in his first six seasons at Essendon before crossing to St Kilda at the end of 2015 in a three-way deal that also landed the pick St Kilda used on Jade Gresham.
“I guess you could sum it up as a bit of a roller coaster. There are a lot of good times in AFL footy, there’s some average times and some bad times. But it’s just part of the job,” Carlisle told saints.com.au ahead of his 100th game on Saturday night.
“I’m pretty fortunate to play 100 games; a lot of hard work has gone into it both pre-draft and from when you get drafted it steps up and up.
“I loved my time at Essendon for the six years I was there and made a lot of good friends, came across some good coaches and people as well.
“When the time was up there, I came across for a fresh start and I’ve fitted in really well.
Moving clubs amid controversy was far from easy for the former Bomber. Then having to sit out for 12 months made a bad start even worse.
It has taken
“It was obviously tough coming into the club the way I did. With everything that happened it was my aim to just let my actions do the talking,” he said.
“I’m a pretty hard trainer so all I could do was train as hard as I could and whether the guys saw me or they didn’t it didn’t matter. Behind closed
“When I came back I was still in rehab, so not being part of the group was a bit difficult but they saw the work I was doing and the progressing I was making with getting the body right.
“Having the year off was really tough, I didn’t get to see much of the boys but there was always a reward at the end of the tunnel. It’s paying off now, we are starting to jell as a defence and we’re starting to get some wins.”
Navigating through a tumultuous year or two wasn’t easy for Carlisle. He worked his way out of the maze through the support of his inner circle, which includes four sisters who have helped him find his way.
“I’ve made some mistakes in my career but having my manager there, my Dad, my Mum and my four sisters have helped me immensely. Without a close family and the stuff I’ve been through, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” he said.
“I feel like they’ve had a massive impact on my life and my career as well because without those sort of people it’s not motivating to get up every day and do something where you’re under so much scrutiny.
“It’s obviously been tough at times but the love and support of my family has been massive for me to play my best football possible. My aim every week is to go out there and try and make my family and friends proud of who I stand for.”
Not long after Carlisle returned to the club last September, the Saints added another key defender in Collingwood premiership
The pair couldn’t be more different and couldn’t have arrived in more different circumstances. But quickly they have built a synergy that has not only strengthened the Saints' defence but has sparked those around them into career-best seasons.
“It’s been very good playing with ‘Browny’; he’s probably got the toughest job of all of us week in week out. He’s able to free
“The best thing about ‘Browny’ is he just gets to work and does his business – he doesn’t complain; he doesn’t care if he gets two handballs for the game or if he blocks out for others, as long as he plays his role which he has done very well this year.
“I think he knows how important he is for the St Kilda football club playing that role each week. Coming from a big club like me, we’ve both been able to make the transition well and I think we jell together really well.”
While the journey travelled hasn't always been smooth, the road ahead looks clear for the important Saint.
