Player Column – Dylan Ross Rd 3

OBVIOUSLY being 2-0 is a lot better than the way we started last year when we lost our first four games.

Personally I have been coming back from surgery on my wrist so I’ve just been trying to play my role for the team these first two games, and hopefully I have done that and now over the next few weeks I’ll look to improve my form a little bit more too.

There’s nothing better than a winning feeling at a footy club and you can just tell that the feelings in the rooms and everyone is upbeat, and excited for the rest of the season. It really sets us up starting off 2-0 and it’s crucial to start building some momentum. Hopefully we can now continue that on Friday against Claremont.

The biggest changes at the club I’ve noticed is just how the group is starting to galvanise together. We are more of one club now and there doesn’t feel like there is a distinction between the two teams. The way the boys have applied themselves on the training track and things like that have really improved a great deal which should hold us in good stead throughout the year. In terms of on-field, Toddy has brought a lot to the table in terms of our structures and things like that, so that’s been good.

Personally I’m also feeling good. I am feeling nice and fit, and I feel ready to have a big year. It was probably a blessing in disguise that I had the wrist injury so I got used to running around the oval which got me nice and fit in the pre-season. I’m feeling really good now and looking forward to a good year.

I have always felt as though I have had a bit of leadership potential my whole career and I continue to play my footy as normal, and try to lead from the front especially in the back-line. We do have a few older and wiser heads down there as well so we share the load, and it works out pretty well between us.

This year is my first chance to play with Kyle Hams and Blayne Wilson as well, and they have been fantastic. Having both of them down back has been really good especially to help some of the younger guys develop, and it frees up some other blokes as well to play other positions and Jimmy Sellar up forward as a result has started the year really well. Just having their experience and quality is really good for everyone.

I did start my career as a centre half-forward at Claremont, but I feel as though I am a defender now. I think my spot is probably cemented down back in either key post now and I’m comfortable with that. That’s where I see myself playing the majority of my career and I enjoy it down there.

Now we are playing my old team Claremont this Good Friday and I still do look forward to playing against them. There isn’t a whole lot of people left there who I played with after quite a big turnover with players and administration, but I always set myself for a big one against Claremont that’s for sure.

One player I am looking forward to seeing out there is Ian Richardson. I get along quite well with Richo and it’s good that he has gone back to Claremont this year where he is a part of the folklore. I will make sure that I give him a few cheapies on the night, that would be night.

I love playing Friday night footy and I know the players really get excited about it as well. There is a different element to night footy down at Fremantle Oval and it’s a great venue for it. Playing on Good Friday should be really good and hopefully we get a big crowd so we can play in front of a good atmosphere. Most importantly hopefully we get another win.