Aaron Heppell is hoping to spend more time in the midfield when the VFL season gets underway next week.
The reigning best and fairest winner averaged 20 disposals per game in defence last season.
But he lifted his output to 24 disposals per game when moved into the middle of the ground from round 18 through to the semi-final.
“It has been really good to take that next step with my football,” Heppell said.
“Coming into the Club I was pretty young and under-sized and I had a fair bit to work on.
“I’ve worked on that pretty aggressively over the last three or four years and last year it started to pay off for me and hopefully I can have another alright season this year.
“I want to keep working on my craft and hopefully move through the midfield a bit more this year, so I’m looking forward to that and hopefully we can have some success as a team.”
The 22-year-old Heppell was appointed Vice-Captain with former AFL Bomber Nick O’Brien named Captain.
“I’m really honoured, it’s a pretty big opportunity for me this season.
“I’m really happy with Nick O’Brien as our Captain, he should be great this year.
“We’ve got a fair bit of experience in the leadership group this year, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
Former Geelong player Michael Luxford, ex-Coburg goal kicker Daniel Younan and Victorian state squad member James Ferry round out the leadership group.
The Bombers will be looking to compete in their third straight finals series under new Coach Paul Corrigan.
Heppell said the camaraderie within the playing group has played a key part in the recent success.
“Coming to the Club, that was one of the first things I noticed,” he said.
“The culture down here is really great … it’s something we continue to work on and really make sure it’s a good culture among the group so that allows us to play the best footy we can.
“We make sure it’s a fun environment and all of the boys enjoy coming to the Club.”
Heppell was named in the VFL Team of the Year in 2016 and said the goal of earning a spot on an AFL list remains.
“It still lingers in the back of my mind and it is something I’m still striving towards but I really enjoy playing VFL footy here ... so if I can play the best standard of footy I can, I’m more than happy with that,” he said.
