With the extensive list of debutants at the Cattery in recent years, midfielder Jarrad Jansen has flown under the radar.

But given his recent form in the VFL, Jansen, who was selected by the Cats with pick 36 in the 2013 national draft, is beginning to knock on the door of AFL selection.

In the VFL Cats' most recent outing, a loss at the hands of Williamstown, Jansen was adjudged best afield for his outstanding performance. The midfielder had 26 possessions, 21 of which were contested, 10 hard ball gets, eight tackles, seven clearances and six inside 50s.

Despite the team’s loss, Jansen was understandably pleased with his performance, considering the quality of the opposition.

“I thought I played okay, got better as the game went on. As a team we had a really good crack against a really honest side,” he said after the match. “Their defence is a real strongpoint of their game and a testament to them that they came out on top.”

The loss to the Seagulls was the fourth in succession for the VFL Cats, but with the tough part of their draw behind them, Jansen believes wins are just around the corner.

“Our effort has been a real high point in the last few weeks from how we’ve played," he said.

“I think that if we show up like we have the past four or five weeks, I think we will have a crack against these middle of the table teams.”

The 20-year-old sees an AFL debut on the horizon but understands there are still some elements of his game that need work.

“Quick decisions off the ball is something for me [to work on]. I’m not at my best and tend to ball-watch and just those running angles internally that will really get me to the next level,” Jansen said.

Watching the likes of Cory Gregson and Darcy Lang prospering at AFL level has encouraged Jansen to keep working hard.

“You can kind of see the opportunities are there if you really want to grab it. Working hard in the VFL will get you that spot in the AFL side," he said.

“I think I still need to string a couple more games together before I really force my way into the team but good form in the VFL is only going to get me there.”

Jansen is doing all the right things in his three VFL matches so far in 2015, averaging 21 disposals, six clearances and six tackles.

He has also averaged four hit-outs per contest, with VFL Coach Paul Hood often using him as third man up throughout a match.

At 192cm, Jansen’s ability to have an influence on ruck contests around the ground adds to his growing skillset.

“It’s just another string to my bow," he said. "if you can always keep the opposition midfielders guessing, it’ll put doubt in their mind and take their mind off what they’re meant to be doing."

There is a reason behind Jansen’s recent run of form and, surprisingly, it’s not the eleven Weet-Bix he puts away every morning.

Jansen attributes his on field fortunes to an increased running ability that has come from significant weight loss following the 2014 season.

“I was up to 97 or 98 kilos towards the end of last year and now I’ve slimmed down a bit. I backed off some of the weights in the gym and I’ve dropped back down to 93 or 94,” he said.

“I probably got a bit too heavy towards the end of last year, but now that I’ve dropped two or three I’m feeling really fit.”

In losing those extra kilos, Jansen has become a more complete player and can run out games much more efficiently. The weight loss has also had a significant impact on Jansen’s confidence and in-game mentality.

“I knew in myself that I needed to [drop the weight] because it kind of played on the back of my mind and it was a conscious effort," he said.

“It’s huge knowing that I can have an impact late in games. It’s a big confidence boost.”

With his new fitness base and the possibility of an AFL debut drawing closer, Jansen is keen to continue to push his case for selection with consistent performances in the VFL.

Jansen will look to perform this week, with the VFL Cats taking on Essendon on arguably the biggest stage in VFL football, Etihad Stadium. The match will be a curtain raiser to the AFL match between the Cats and the Bombers.

“It’s pretty exciting, I honestly can’t wait to play indoor," he said. "It’s really exciting and it will give me a taste of how quick the ball can move at VFL level in there and translate that to AFL level.”