Cats gun back and ready to fire again
GROGAN Medallist and Broadbeach midfielder Blake Erickson has put rivals on notice, declaring he is nearing the form that led to him being recognised as the QAFL’s best player in 2018.
Erickson missed the entire pre-season over summer, spending three months in Europe and another month in America before arriving three days before Round 1.
It put him behind in his preparation but after a stint in the reserves on the opening weekend, Erickson has been slowly building the fitness and form that will have him firing for the Cats in the back half of the season as they push to reach a second straight grand final.
“I’ve been trying to get fit and it’s a pretty new group so it’s also been finding a bit of balance and rhythm for both me and the whole club as well,” Erickson said.
“I got a little bit of training done overseas. I did try to do as many runs as I could but when you’re in a new city or town every three or four days it was hard to get going.
“I still kept in good shape and used the gyms at hotels when we were there.”
The 26-year-old said he had already seen glimpses of his best again nine rounds into the season and wasn’t far off doing it consistently.
“I think the fitness is there a little bit but it’s just the touch and instinct that is still a couple of weeks away,” Erickson said.
“I’m trying to get that flow back into my game and instinct of where to be.
“It’s not too far away. At the moment I feel like I’m having good quarters or parts of the game but it’s about putting it all together.”
Broadbeach are third on the ladder at 5-3 and Erickson said he had been impressed by new coach Beau Zorko who replaced Brett Andrews. “He has been really good for the group,” Erickson said.
“He knows his stuff and is a really good communicator.
“We are playing a bit different game plan so it’s taken us a little longer to adapt and with a new group it’s a little tough but all-in-all everyone is enjoying it.
“Hopefully we can keep building each week and by the end of the season quicken our strides and make a push for finals and a little higher up the ladder.”