Fremantle Docker Tommy Sheridan brushed aside any worries about his dropped mark in the Preliminary Final, and preferred to focus on the positives heading into the 2016 season.
“I’m all about positivity,” Sheridan said.
“I dropped a mark at a crucial time, those are the facts.
“If I keep lying about that then I won’t move forward.”
“Moving forward” has meant working more intensively with new defensive coach Brent Guerra, whose experience as a similar player has been invaluable according to Sheridan.
“He’s a running back and I’m a running back, so it’s really about picking his mind,” he said.
In addition to his own development as a player, Sheridan pointed to Freo’s young players as another reason for optimism.
“Last years crop are really good,” he said.
“Connor Blakely, Lachie Weller, Ed Langdon, even Ethan Hughes.
Sheridan and Grey big hits with the kids
“They got a bit of a taste of it last year, and they’re flying on the track.”
While acknowledging the young talent at Fremantle, Sheridan was quick to declare that potential and youth alone won’t secure a spot in the senior team.
“Everyone earns their game, they can be 28 or 18,” he said.
“If they deserve that game and they play their role, Ross (Lyon) is happy with them.”
Improved individual play, a talented young brigade and the positive club culture at Freo made committing long-term an easy decision according to Sheridan, who signed a two-year contract extension in August last year.
“It’s a great footy club and Freo’s got a great culture,” he said.
“Falling in love with beaches and lifestyle, everything’s going really well and I’d be stupid to leave.
“(I) Couldn’t have signed the paper any quicker.”
Sheridan focusing on future
Tommy Sheridan is focusing on the positives heading into the 2016 season