Entering just his third season of AFL football, Caleb Serong has already shown that he belongs at the elite level over his first two years in the competition.
Taking home individual honours such as the NAB AFL Rising Star, as well as the AFL’s Goal of the Year, a Glendinning-Allan Medal and finishing fourth in the Club’s 2021 Doig Medal count have all marked an incredible introduction to the big stage.
However, Serong is ready to go to another level this season, working hard to improve upon his game over the summer.
An emphasis on his physical fitness and strength has left the young mid feeling confident to shine amongst a playing group that Serong believes has worked ‘bloody hard’ over the pre-season.
“The main one for me physically was both my fitness and my strength,” Serong told SportFM.
“One of the big focuses for me was trying to strip down a little bit and lose a kilo or too and make it a lot more efficient for me to run around the ground.
“We’ve had basically a full list for the pre-season, so that has meant a lot of match sim this year, which compared to the last couple of seasons has ramped up.
While Serong is at one end of the spectrum in his career, experienced campaigner David Mundy is at the other.
The ever-reliable contested mid has enjoyed a strong month on the training track following an ankle interruption at the end of 2021.
“He obviously had the little ankle hiccup just before Christmas and that held him up for a month or two, but the last month or so he has been great,” Serong said.
“I think his body is feeling really good and he is ready to go again.
“The one thing with Dave is you never rule him out, he always finds a way to contribute and play good footy.”
While the season kicks off a Sunday afternoon in South Australia, Serong said consistency that leads to a finals berth in 2022 is the focus for the season ahead.
“Since I’ve been here we have been driving for the finals berth,” Serong said.
“It’s where everyone wants to be, and it’s up to us now to put it all together.
“We have got everything at our disposal, we’ve got the talent, the work under our belt and the coaching staff to help us get there.
“It’s now just up to us to play some consistent footy, and it starts on Sunday.”
