A. I am - it was so good to play Round 1. That is what my preseason goal was. Now I just have to try and hold my spot and cement a position.
Q. Despite the team losing against Brisbane I thought on a personal note you seemed to grow in confidence as the match progressed and started to create play rather than just filling a spot... ...
A. I was fairly happy with that game. I thought I made the most of the time I got. I felt pretty fresh because I was on the bench for a lot of the game, so when I came on in the last quarter I really focussed on using all of my energy. I had travelled all the way up to Brisbane and I didn't want it to be for no reason. I wanted to see if I could match it with them and I just tried to run as hard as I could and get to as much of the footy as I could.
Q. I suppose playing first round, you want to play well and maintain your spot in the seniors. It is pretty competitive to get into the senior side...
A. Definitely. Playing seniors is what you train to do over the whole preseason. You do all the hill sessions, the running sessions and all the meetings and the seniors is really where you want to be. It is so rewarding playing in the seniors with all of the guys.
Q. This is your third season at the club - you have played a handful of games since debuting in 2001 - are you starting to feel more part of the senior line-up?
A. The first two seasons I played at the club I always felt like I was filling in. I didn't feel like I could really make a difference. I didn't have the confidence in myself but now I really feel like I can match it with everyone and more part of the team. I feel confident that I can play at that level.
Q. Do you think your growth in confidence can also be attributed to the number of young players at the club now and the departure of some of the older players over the past two years?
A. We definitely have a much younger list now, which gives you a little more confidence. But we have picked up some really good players as well so it is still hard to get a position in the team.
Q. Are you finding that your football smarts are continuing to improve as you are maturing as a player?
A. I am reading the play a lot better now and know where to run. I am not doing useless running like I did a bit last year. I did a lot of kicking work over the summer so my skills have got a lot better as well. I couldn't really do a lot of running over the break because I hurt my ankle at the end of last season.
Q. Was increasing your upper body strength a real focus for you over the preseason?
A. Joel Reynolds and I at the end of last season really took it upon ourselves to work together. Both of us knew we needed to put on between five and eight kilograms. John Quinn organised a program with Musashi and Joel and I were in the club everyday trying to put on weight and get a bit stronger.
Q. Was the increase in strength predominantly to improve your contested marks?
A. The thing I have found the most where it helps me is when I am running with the ball it is easier to fend off players. I have more confidence pushing opposition players off and taking them on more. Last year as soon as the opposition got a hold of me I was pretty much tackled straight away.
Q. The Brisbane match would have been a good test for you and showed you that you can match it?
A. Before Round 1 I didn't really know where I was at. It was big test for me and I was nervous and I didn't really know what to expect. As soon as I got out there I was really calm and really wanted to play well. In my first few senior games I played I would spend so much nervous energy that when I came on the ground I was exhausted. I am learning now to relax and not get too nervous.
Q. Being your third year at the club, do you feel that this is the season to really make an impact and cement a spot in the senior side?
A. This year I really want to set my position in the seniors. I have had two good development years and if there is any year to do it, it is this year. The other guys I got drafted with - Sam Hunt, Marc Bullen, James Davies and Ted Richards - have all set this year as our year to break into the team.
Q. I know you will be happy to play anywhere in the seniors, but what is your preferred position?
A. Probably wing or maybe one of the flanks.
