A PERMANENT spot alongside Jesse Hogan in Melbourne's forward line is there for the taking and emerging youngster Sam Weideman is keen to make it his own.
Weideman, pick No.9 in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft, managed three games in his maiden season after making his debut against Hawthorn in round 20.
It was a patient build-up to his first match with the 19-year-old earning his opportunity after kicking 25 goals from 14 matches with VFL affiliate Casey Scorpions, ranking him 11th in the competition.
"I'd love to grab that opportunity as quickly as possible," Weideman told AFL.com.au.
"We've got some quality players in there so it makes fighting for that one spot all the more difficult.
"Playing more senior football is my main focus going forward."
With Chris Dawes no longer vying for the tall forward position, Weideman is the logical fit to take slot in next to Hogan and Jack Watts in Melbourne's forward line.
The strengths of Weideman – leaping for the footy in the air and using his rangy frame to lead up at the ball carrier – naturally complements the bash and crash style of Hogan.
"I'm building a strong relationship with Jesse at the moment," Weideman said.
"We're starting to learn a little more about each other as the training sessions go on.
"Jesse really does pride himself on his contested body work and I do like to leap at (the footy) in the air, so we're trying to teach other in a sense."
In his three senior games, Weideman found he was being nudged under the ball far too easily and the lack of space, as defenders converged around him, made it difficult to operate effectively up forward.
More than anything, the experience of playing senior footy made him realise that he needs to continually refine his game and find different ways to be more involved in the play.
The 195cm forward kicked two goals (one with his first kick in the AFL) against the Hawks but kicked just one in his final two games of the season.
"I did quite a bit of work last year and into this pre-season on finding different ways I can get the ball and improve my leading patterns," Weideman said.
"I did find myself struggling with the lack of space but I've been doing a truckload of work with [defensive coordinator] Jade Rawlings and [offensive coordinator] Troy Chaplin this year on not letting my defender get set on me."
Weideman has put on four kilograms since the start of the pre-season and now tips the scales at 94kg, as the club's fitness staff looks to add size to his undeveloped frame.
"This pre-season they've (strength and conditioning staff) put a heavier emphasis on getting me in the weights room and getting my body size a lot bigger," Weideman said.
"That's the main focus for me and hopefully it pays dividends."
Weideman, whose grandfather Murray is a Collingwood legend, is yet to convince his family to abandon their Magpie allegiance.
Father Mark also played for Collingwood and Sam said he was fighting a losing battle so far.
"They're pretty die-hard Pies fans but I'm slowly trying to get them across to support the Dees," Weideman said with a laugh.
"It would be pretty tough to convert him (Murray) particularly because of the history he has gone through with Melbourne.
"I'll keep trying though."
