READY TO STEP UP AND KICK OFF NEW AFL SEASON

QWhat is it like as a second-year player being one of the leaders out there and barking out instructions? It must be a little bit daunting at times.

It is daunting for sure but I enjoy it. I enjoy being the voice that talks up in meetings and on the field. We are a very tight-knit group, so if you say the wrong thing, it is about education, people will tell you the right thing instead of just spraying you. I just try and implement what the leaders tell the group; that was a big goal of mine from the off-season.

The club recruited well over the off-season and you have had a few positive results so far in the

Apre-season, there must be lots of optimism heading towards Round 1?

We will take a lot of confidence from the two pre-season games. We have changed a few things in our game plan and we are playing with a more offensive mindset. We are not afraid to move the ball through the corridor. We have confidence in the game plan and want to be known as a high-pressure team, like someone that is hard to play against. We showed that in the first pre-season games. We played the majority of the game in our forward half and that showed.

It looks like you will have fellow Saints product Jack Bowes (right) in defence with you in 2020.

AAIt shows how versatile he is, being able to drop back in defence. He has taken on the new role with both hands and really made it his own position. He is a great reader of the ball in the air and has a great set of hands. He is able to go one-on-one in the air and I have good trust in him. He loves to run and carry out of defence as well. The ball is in safe hands with him. Jack is only in his fourth year at the club but he is a real leader.

Port Adelaide is the task in Round 1 tonight. That must be an exciting challenge for the group?

All eyes are on Round 1. As a club, we are excited about it all. For me, I feel like I have put my best foot forward.

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