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Joel Hamling loves preseason training.
It’s not something you hear often, most players can’t wait to get the summer slog behind them, but Hamling relishes the opportunity to learn and work on his game day in and day out.
It might go a way to explaining why the 22-year-old West Australian won the Chris Grant Award for best first year player after crossing from Geelong as a free agent at the end of the 2014 season.
“For me preseason is massive, as it is for every player, but I probably get a bit more out of it,” he told westernbulldogs.com.au
“It means I can work on things I need to improve on, obviously getting fitter and my all round game, and there’s not as much pressure.
“You can go for the harder kicks in match sim (for example), and that staff sort of pays off when you go into games, you’re fully prepared.
“So for me I like the long hot summer days - the big preseason days.”
Hamling was a revelation down back in his 11 games in 2015, forming a strong partnership with fellow backmen, Fletcher Roberts. But with talented youngsters like Zaine Cordy, Marcus Adams and Kieran Collins staking their own claims for a spot in the 22, Hamling knows he can’t afford to rest on last season’s achievements.
“It’s obviously healthy to have that competition within the Club and for us to get better as a team, we need that, he said.
“Kieran’s (Collins) got a big frame, 98kgs, plays down back as well, and is obviously looking to play in my spot, so the pressure is on me to perform well week in and week out.”
Hamling said that he expected the coaches to continue to turn the screws on the group over the next three weeks in preparation for the season proper, something he is looking forward to.
“I’m just focused on building an all-round better game and becoming an all-round better athlete.
“I want to be fitter, stronger and faster. All of the things that are required to be an AFL player.”
It’s clear that anyone gunning for Hamling’s spot in the 22 is going to have a fight on their hands.
