Lindsay Thomas celebrates a goal against Geelong. Source: Herald Sun
NORTH Melbourne forward Lindsay Thomas credits a new set-shot routine and a determination not to play for free kicks for his unlikely status as the Coleman Medal leader.
Thomas's goalkicking was once so erratic he was dropped, but after managing 21.36 in 2011 he rebounded with 38.19 last season.
After bags of 4.1 and 5.1 in the past fortnight he is the AFL's leading goalkicker, even if he would trade all of that for a pair of victories for the winless Roos.
Thomas said he had heeded coach Brad Scott's advice to play the ball, rather than try to milk free kicks.
"It is good to kick a few goals early, but I would rather have a win on the board than lead the Coleman Medal," he said.
"In 2011 it probably got to the point where if I got the footy I would have a million thoughts in my head. Was I going to miss? Will I let my teammates down? It got to the point where I didn't want the footy in my hands.
"Now I have got a set-shot routine and the key is to stay relaxed.
"It's a funny thing when you have confidence. I have worked my backside off for the last 12 months and worked hard on my fitness, but I am not getting carried away yet."
Thomas said he had simplified his approach to football.
"I probably did play for frees, but we have end-of-year meetings and Brad sat me down and said I am a better player than that.
"He said, 'You are a damaging player when you keep your feet'. I have worked on that and getting stronger through my legs and core, and I just try to keep my feet as much as possible to stay in the contest."
North is 0-2 after coughing up a 41-point lead against Geelong, but Thomas said the signs from Sunday's game are encouraging ahead of the clash with Sydney in Hobart on Saturday.
"It's only Round 2. We are not going to push the panic button any time soon," he said.
Thomas was cleared by the match review panel over a shepherd that left Collingwood's Ben Reid concussed in Round 1, and said yesterday he was determined not to change his style.
"I have put that to rest and moved on quickly. But I am pretty confident with what the rules say. It won't change the way I go about my footy."
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