Now into his second-year as a SUN, Will Brodie hopes the hard work that he has been putting in this pre-season will lead to a regular spot in the senior side in 2018.
The inside midfielder missed a big chunk of his first pre-season but this time around, he has been able to put his best foot forward under Senior Coach Stuart Dew.
After playing three games in his debut season, Brodie’s main focus has been on improving his strongest assets, his speed and running ability.
“Coming into my first year, obviously I was just trying to learn as much as I could,” Brodie told SUNS TV on Thursday.
“In my second pre-season, I feel as though I’ve been able to stay out on the track and get all the volume done.
“You get looked after a bit as a first-year player, so I feel like I’ve got a lot of volume behind me in my second pre-season and hopefully going into a big 2018.”
Brodie has added more muscle to his frame since last season, leaving him well equipped to win the footy in the contest and compete against bigger bodies.
The 189cm midfielder showed this on Sunday against the Lions, where he recorded ten contested possessions in wet conditions.
“(I’m) just trying to keep developing my running ability and I’ve been trying to put on a bit of size this pre-season as well,” Brodie told SUNS TV on Thursday.
“Continuing to build on my strengths and just keep developing and learning as I go.
“So just staying out on the track has helped play a big part in that.”
Just over a week out from the season opener in Cairns, Brodie is one of a number of players jostling for a place in Gold Coast’s best 22.
With the likes of David Swallow and Jarryd Lyons playing in the midfield as contested ball winners, Brodie knows that he has to work hard to earn his spot.
The work he’s done throughout the pre-season has given him every chance of lining up for the SUNS at Cazalys Stadium next Saturday.
“Everyone is pretty competitive for spots and everyone’s hungry at this time of year, ready to get out there and get into it.
“It’s been a big pre-season, and everyone is ready to go.”
