Jack Hannath believes all the Fremantle talls have an opportunity in the coming weeks to stake their claim for a spot in the team in 2015.
The club will play an intra-club match on Saturday, followed by the commencement of the NAB Challenge series.
Hannath is one of a number of Freo ruckmen and forwards trying to win a place in Ross Lyon’s best 22.
Key forwards Matt Taberner and Michael Apeness have been training strongly, while Jon Griffin and Zac Clarke are also pushing for the second ruck spot behind champion big man Aaron Sandilands.
Hannath said it was important for all tall players to be able to play more than one position if they wanted to be in the senior side.
“I’ve split my time 50/50 between forward and ruck (during the pre-season),” he said.
“The way it’s played these days, you’ve got to be adaptable and be able to play a couple of positions.
“I’ve split my time working with ‘Easty’ (ruck coach Simon Eastaugh) in the ruck and also ‘Suma’ (assistant coach Peter Sumich) in the forward line.”
Hannath added the entire squad couldn’t wait for Saturday’s intra-club match at Fremantle Oval.
“We’ve had a long pre-season and we’ve put in a lot of hard work,” he said.
“The culmination of it will be on Saturday with our first trial game, which we’re all looking forward to.
“There’s opportunities for everyone across the board, everyone’s putting their hand up to play.
“It’s now about the trial games and trying to take the opportunities when they come.”
The 23-year-old South Australian was at Nagle Catholic College in Geraldton on Thursday as part of Freo’s 2015 AFL Community Camp.
He said he had enjoyed the journey north.
“It’s a beautiful place,” he said.
“We spent a good day out in the community, a good day at schools interacting with the kids.
“We had a clinic yesterday and also a sportsman’s night, so we’ve packed a lot in but it’s been great and the boys have really enjoyed their time.”
Freo visit Geraldton Regional Hospital
Hannath signed a two-year contract extension with Freo last year, despite managing only three games for the season.
He said he was very happy to remain at the WA club.
“I was rapt that I got picked up by Freo,” he said.
“I was rapt to stay on and I really want to nut out a career here.”
He acknowledged that earning more AFL games would be a huge challenge, given the quality of his teammates.
“There’s Griff (Griffin) as well, who is back from his knee injury, he’s playing the Indigenous game on Friday night and is up and running,” Hannath said.
“Spider (Sandilands) is the mainstay and then there’s Zac (Clarke) and myself.
“You’re always competing against everyone, so it’s good.
“It’s making me a better player and hopefully I’ll show it this year.”
