MELBOURNE has injected eight new players into its 2012 squad.
Two players - Mitch Clark and James Sellar - have joined from rival AFL clubs. Clark joined the Demons back in October via the trade period. Sellar was Melbourne’s third and final selection at No.54 in the NAB AFL Draft.
For six other players, now wearing the red and blue, they are embarking on their first AFL-listed season.
It’s now been more than seven weeks since the NAB AFL Draft was held and a month since Melbourne finalised its list, via the NAB AFL Rookie Draft.
For Tom Couch, he has been at the club the longest of the draftees, as he started pre-season on October 31. But he didn’t officially become a Demon until December 13.
Although he has undertaken all of the pre-season work, he said he was far from settled at this early stage of his career.
“You’re still on edge trying to improve and realise that you’re on a rookie list. You’ve got a period of time to make an impression,” Couch told melbournefc.com.au.
“It’s not about worrying about the games coming up, but working on the areas you need to improve and catching up with the coaches and talking to them.
“My family and friends have been very excited. There have been a few congratulations, so I’m just trying to keep it as normal as possible.”
For Taggert and Tynan - Melbourne’s first (No.36) and second (No.52) picks respectively in the NAB AFL Draft - the journey so far has been cautious with their young bodies. But that hasn’t curbed their enthusiasm.
“I’ve really loved it so far. I haven’t really had to do much training out on the track yet, because the body is not used to it all,” Taggert said.
“Everyone is so welcoming at the club and everyone has taken us all in. All of the coaching staff is there when you need them, so I’m really enjoying it.”
Tynan added: “I’ve really enjoyed it. I’ve still got to earn some respect, so I’ve just tried to train as hard as I can. I’m trying to get the most out of it,” he said.
For Jai Sheahan, who was surprisingly overlooked in the NAB AFL Draft, the transition to an AFL was what he envisaged.
“I’ve loved it. It’s what I expected and more. It’s tiring and it’s hard work, but it’s rewarding and I’m really enjoying it,” he said.
Since being the last player to fill a vacancy on Melbourne’s list, rookie Leigh Williams has already made significant gains since becoming a full-time AFL-listed player.
“The first two weeks - after officially being with the Melbourne footy club - was good. I’d done the two weeks training, so I was already feeling pretty good and a bit more a part of it,” he said.
“I’d already felt fitter from two weeks of training on, from doing work in the gym and on the track.
“Even with my diet plan, I’ve lost five kilograms. I’ve got my skinfolds under a target, so I’m on track.”
As for 24-year-old James Magner, he is not wasting a minute. And being a recruit with a mature body, he has also adapted quickly.
“I’ve found it really good. I feel like I’ve slotted in really nicely. I’ve got to know guys really quickly and they’ve embraced me really well,” he said.
“It hasn’t been too much of a shock to the system and I’ve really been enjoying it.”
Two players - Mitch Clark and James Sellar - have joined from rival AFL clubs. Clark joined the Demons back in October via the trade period. Sellar was Melbourne’s third and final selection at No.54 in the NAB AFL Draft.
For six other players, now wearing the red and blue, they are embarking on their first AFL-listed season.
It’s now been more than seven weeks since the NAB AFL Draft was held and a month since Melbourne finalised its list, via the NAB AFL Rookie Draft.
For Tom Couch, he has been at the club the longest of the draftees, as he started pre-season on October 31. But he didn’t officially become a Demon until December 13.
Although he has undertaken all of the pre-season work, he said he was far from settled at this early stage of his career.
“You’re still on edge trying to improve and realise that you’re on a rookie list. You’ve got a period of time to make an impression,” Couch told melbournefc.com.au.
“It’s not about worrying about the games coming up, but working on the areas you need to improve and catching up with the coaches and talking to them.
“My family and friends have been very excited. There have been a few congratulations, so I’m just trying to keep it as normal as possible.”
For Taggert and Tynan - Melbourne’s first (No.36) and second (No.52) picks respectively in the NAB AFL Draft - the journey so far has been cautious with their young bodies. But that hasn’t curbed their enthusiasm.
“I’ve really loved it so far. I haven’t really had to do much training out on the track yet, because the body is not used to it all,” Taggert said.
“Everyone is so welcoming at the club and everyone has taken us all in. All of the coaching staff is there when you need them, so I’m really enjoying it.”
Tynan added: “I’ve really enjoyed it. I’ve still got to earn some respect, so I’ve just tried to train as hard as I can. I’m trying to get the most out of it,” he said.
For Jai Sheahan, who was surprisingly overlooked in the NAB AFL Draft, the transition to an AFL was what he envisaged.
“I’ve loved it. It’s what I expected and more. It’s tiring and it’s hard work, but it’s rewarding and I’m really enjoying it,” he said.
Since being the last player to fill a vacancy on Melbourne’s list, rookie Leigh Williams has already made significant gains since becoming a full-time AFL-listed player.
“The first two weeks - after officially being with the Melbourne footy club - was good. I’d done the two weeks training, so I was already feeling pretty good and a bit more a part of it,” he said.
“I’d already felt fitter from two weeks of training on, from doing work in the gym and on the track.
“Even with my diet plan, I’ve lost five kilograms. I’ve got my skinfolds under a target, so I’m on track.”
As for 24-year-old James Magner, he is not wasting a minute. And being a recruit with a mature body, he has also adapted quickly.
“I’ve found it really good. I feel like I’ve slotted in really nicely. I’ve got to know guys really quickly and they’ve embraced me really well,” he said.
“It hasn’t been too much of a shock to the system and I’ve really been enjoying it.”
