North Melbourne midfielder Trent Dumont says a distinct change of mindset midway through last year was a major factor in his strong finish to the season. 

Prior to the bye in Round 13, he averaged 18.8 disposals. For the remainder of the season, the midfielder’s disposal average shot up to 23.8. 

“During the year I figured things out that were working for me,” Dumont revealed.

“After the bye, my mindset changed a bit, and I wanted to start dominating games and be involved throughout the game.

“I was having good quarters here and there, but I wanted to start really putting together a four-quarter performance.”

This increase in output saw the hard-working midfielder became one of the Kangaroos’ best performers in the second-half of the season, with a 38-disposal effort in Round 23 perhaps his most outstanding game yet. 

Since the start of the 2017 season, Dumont has developed into an integral part of the North midfield, playing 41 out of a possible 44 games, including all 22 matches in 2018. 

It’s been a gradual development, but the number 14 has become a well-rounded AFL on-baller.  

“2017 was the year I learned the most about my body and what it takes to play footy at an elite level,” Dumont said.

“I hadn’t put the amount of work in required before then, and my body really struggled.

“That affected my performances and my ability to run out games. After that I said I didn’t really want to feel like that anymore and worked a fair bit on giving myself the best opportunity to perform each week. 

“I was ebbing and flowing in my performances a bit, which I think came from professionalism in my diet and things like that.” 

Dumont was an impressive performer in what was a tough 2017 season, but took his game to another level last year. 

“Last year (2018) all stemmed from my off-season,” he said. 

“I did a fair bit of work to give myself the best possible chance to get fit in the pre-season, and then from there it all flowed on nicely, and I was able to focus on the way I want to play. 

“My body felt really good last year, and I felt that I could have played a few more games.”

The 23-year-old’s 2018 numbers were so impressive that he was ranked as an elite wingman by Champion Data, alongside new teammates Aaron Hall and Jared Polec.

But while the stats are impressive, they mean little to the man himself.

“I don’t think about Champion Data stats much,” Dumont said, laughing.

“I guess it’s nice to hear though. 

“But in terms of the new guys that we have got in, in ‘Hally’ (Hall) and ‘Polly’ (Polec), it just shows the quality and depth we have added to our group, which is going to be fantastic for us this year, and something that I think we needed. 

“They bring some great attributes and are some top-quality AFL-standard players.”

While plenty has been made of North’s aggressive trade period and what the new recruits will bring, Dumont is equally as excited about some emerging youngsters. 

“I think even if we didn’t get some of these boys in, we would still see a lot of improvement,” he said. 

“Guys like ‘LDU’ (Luke Davies-Uniacke) Jy (Simpkin), ‘Pauly’ (Paul Ahern) and myself will hopefully develop again and take another step up which is really exciting. 

“LDU is one that stands out for me this pre-season, and he was excellent on the weekend. 

“He’s done a ton of work on things running patterns and things like that. He’s elite in the contest, but it’s just about getting to the contest and getting more involved. ” 

“All of the young boys have been really impressive. 

“They are being led really well by the development coaches, and are all really looking to learn, and I think they will benefit and improve from that.

“Their attitudes are unreal, and I think they all have a chance of playing this year, which speaks volumes. It’s exciting for the club, because they look to be a really good crop.”