SAM WEIDEMAN isn’t over complicating things this pre-season.
The young key forward has embraced all the challenges to date and is hoping to cement his spot in the senior side on the back of a big summer.
“As we’re getting closer to the season, I think it’s starting to get more real,” Weideman told Melbourne Media.
“We’re putting in a lot of hard work now and I think we’re really testing each other and getting a lot out of it.
“I think we’ve almost doubled our load already compared to last pre-season so it’s very difficult, but all of us are enjoying it – we’re enjoying the hard work and enjoying doing it together.”
Weideman had a nasty finish to the 2019 season, undergoing surgery on his jaw and both hips, but the 22-year-old is back on the park and gaining momentum ahead of his fifth year with the club.
“I started a little bit slow in the pre-season, but I was able to get a pretty good block of about three weeks before Christmas,” he said.
“Now I’m just starting to build my fitness up, feeling a bit stronger and hips are finally feeling free which is nice.”
The former No.9 draft pick has showed plenty of promise to this point of his career playing 31 games for the Dees, but with steady improvement, he's hoping to make 2020 his best season yet.
“I think this year is a real stepping stone for me,” Weideman said.
“I think I really need to attack this pre-season like I’ve been doing and just keep going to try and build that fitness level that’s going to keep me consistent at AFL level and hopefully be able to keep a spot, and keep a consistent spot in the side.”
Although 2019 didn’t go to script for Weideman or his fellow forwards, he isn’t placing too much pressure on himself leading into the season.
“We obviously didn’t gel as well as we would’ve liked to last year,” he said.
“I think now that we’re putting in a lot of hard work and a lot of time in together, we’re starting to build a bit more cohesion down there.
“We’re starting to train really well and get a lot better connection with those midfielders as well.”
The Melbourne playing group will continue its pre-season in Maroochydore next week as the club heads North on a week-long training camp.
