Consistency is a term uttered regularly by the modern footballer, but unlike many other clichés it’s a trait that separates the best from the also-rans.
The need to play regular, quality football couldn’t ring more true for a small-forward like North Melbourne’s Lindsay Thomas, and in his position, it’s goals that matter most.
For a player of Thomas’ quality, it’s hard to believe 2008 was the last time he booted three goals or more in back-to-back games. That record stood firm until Sunday against the Saints.
It’s a sign the number 12 is finally coming of age.
"This year has probably been my most consistent footy up to date,” Thomas told the Herald Sun’s Mark Robinson.
"I've got to take it week by week and the other things will come. It's the fittest I've ever been and the strongest I've ever been.”
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Talent has never been an issue for Thomas - in fact he had arguably his best season to date in just his second year at the club with 32 goals.
Taking the next step physically and mentally though has been the main hurdle, a reality compounded by a goal-kicking tally of 21 goals, 36 behinds in 2011.
Thomas realised the need to address his deficiencies.
"Last year was a horror year for myself with goal-kicking. It does get to you, and it got to me a bit, and in the end I was dropped to the reserves,” he added.
"At the end of the year I sat down with Brad (Scott) and he told me to work hard and that I would get the rewards.”
The South-Australian also sought advice from a team-mate, Brent Harvey.
"He's been really good with me. He gave me some tips and it really does help. He asked me what I was thinking.
"It was a hard one, because I used to tell myself, 'I'm going to kick it, I'm going to kick it', and when you don't kick it, you also then doubt yourself.
"I was doing everything right but the ball didn't go straight. And the more you keep missing the more you doubt yourself and that's what happened to me.
"I kept thinking I was letting my teammates down by missing crucial shots at crucial times ... and it got to the point where you didn't want the footy in your hands, I guess.
"I've told myself that was probably the lowest point it was going to get and I can only go up from there, and hopefully it's working."
And Thomas’ form is evidence of that. He was dropped after Round 8, but worked hard in the VFL and was quickly recalled.
"It was said it (the omission) was about stuff off-field, but it was nothing to do with that.
"There were things Brad and I identified that had to be worked on, that consistency of effort.
"In my first couple of years, I would've dropped my head and cracked the s---- and that kind of stuff, but I've played enough footy to understand what I have to do. I was disappointed but if I'm not doing the things right I don't deserve to be in the seniors.
"I earned my spot back which was good.”
Since coming back into the side he’s done everything right, and his body language alone suggests a new-found confidence.
"I'm always confident when I've got the footy in my hands and my teammates know that as well. I know I'm either going to kick the goal or set a goal up, and it's working really well at the moment."
