Freo midfielder Lachie Neale has turned to one of the league’s most-revered players to help improve his game in season 2015.
Neale may only be 21, but he was one of the most experienced players at today’s visit to Geraldton Grammar School, as part of the club’s AFL Community Camp in the Midwest and Midlands regions of Western Australia.
“We’ve got the first to fourth years on Community Camp this year, so myself and Anthony Morabito were the oldest out there,” Neale said.
“I suppose at this time of year we get out here and see all the kids and it’s a great time.
“I’m from the country in South Australia and we had Port and the Crows come out when I was this age and I used to love that stuff, so it’s good to give back.”
While Neale was enjoying his time up north, he was quick to declare his ambitions ahead of the club’s opening NAB Challenge match in just over a fortnight.
“For me it’s just about getting a spot in round one to start with, we’ve got really good depth in the midfield right now,” Neale said.
“We’ve got a couple of young guys coming in like Connor Blakely and Lachie Weller who are training really strongly, so it’s putting pressure on the guys in the team at the moment.”
Neale had a fantastic 2014 season, highlighted with a Ross Glendinning Medal in the round seven Carlton Draught Derby.
He also kicked a match-winning goal against Carlton in round 19 and had a standout finals series.
But he said there was still plenty of improvement to come.
“For me it’s about playing a bit more consistent, I had a few ups and downs with my performances and I just want to play consistently,” he said.
“My tackling numbers were a bit down last year, so that’s something that I’ve been really working on with Brett Kirk and reviewing guys that can tackle in the AFL and making sure that’s my main focus in terms of a skill aspect.
“I want to try and get above 70-80 per cent tackle efficiency and make sure I’m laying more tackles."
Kirk, one of Freo’s assistant coaches and a premiership-winning midfielder with the Sydney Swans, was renowned for his tackling ability.
“Five to 10 minutes post-training most days I’ve been out there with him one-on-one and trying to bring him to ground with a bit of tackling work,” Neale said.
The South Australian is out of contract at the end of 2016, but Freo fans will be buoyed with Neale’s current mindset.
“I have no homesickness at all and really loving my time over here, " he said.
"The Dockers have been fantastic for me and gave me an opportunity to start with.
“I’m not thinking about that (leaving) at all.”
