KEEP doing what you’re doing.

While Matthew Cottrell has never been one to top the stats sheet, he’s never really minded - whether he’s been playing up forward or back on a wing as he has in the last fortnight.

With 19 and 20 disposals in his last two games after missing the Round 4 clash with Collingwood, Cottrell knows that while he’s generally one of those who plays a role for his team, external plaudits may not always be there - but as long as he continues to earn the respect of his contemporaries, that’s all he’ll ever need.

Averaging a career high for disposals at this point in the season, Cottrell’s approach remains the same, regardless of how he or the team is tracking.

“I get pumped up internally, and that gives me great confidence to keep doing it week in and week out,” Cottrell told RSN.

“We have a lot of unsung heroes. George’s start to the season has been unreal, Matty Carroll has come in and played a great role. We’ve got plenty of people doing the right thing.”

Cottrell crafted a role for himself under Michael Voss as a high half-forward in recent seasons, but has been utilised on the wing alongside Blake Acres in recent weeks as the Blues continued to look for their best mix.

It’s the continual understanding of the wider group for what each role in the system does which Cottrell believes the Blues will have to keep going after for results to go their way.

He said that’s what continues to be reinforced throughout the week at IKON Park.

“It’s all around your role. Every player is different.

“The small forwards are putting on pressure, the backs up the ground standing in front and being aggressive, the wingers getting back like Blake Acres on the goal line.

“They’re the sort of things we celebrate internally, the selfless acts are the things that really stand out.”