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(From www.afc.com.au)
Adelaide's Ian Perrie wants to make centre half-forward his own this year.
Having finished the 2004 season on a positive note, the 25-year-old left-footer has put in a big pre-season, adding an extra five kilos to his already solid frame.
"I want to cement my place at centre half-forward and play a minimum of 20 games," Perrie said.
"I have to make the most of this year. There is nothing standing in the way of me playing well. I have to make the most of my opportunities."
A Norwich Rising Star nominee in 2000, Perrie finished last season in excellent form, averaging 15 possessions and seven marks over the last five games from the tough centre half-forward position.
Without regular forward-line members Wayne Carey and Mark Stevens, he admits he enjoyed the challenge of filling such big boots.
"It was good to be the main focal point in the forward line," he said. "The players up the field tend to look for you more, rather than being the second or third option.
"It gave me the opportunity to get my hands on the footy and take some marks. I enjoyed myself up there contributing to the team."
Perrie, who has played 69 games since his debut in 2000, believes he is
best suited to playing across half-forward, but says he doesn’t mind being shifted down back when required.
"I don’t mind being shifted to different positions," he said. "I think it gives you variety to your game and it keeps you thinking all the time.
"However, I would like to settle at centre half-forward. I know there are people out there who still have their doubts about me, but I am working hard to improve my game.
"I hope to be given the chance to be a regular member of the forward line in 2005."
Noted for his attack on the football and competitiveness in the forward line, Perrie says there is a huge responsibility for whoever lines up in the forward 50.
"You need to give a genuine contest and try to keep the ball in the forward line," he said. "It can be disheartening to the midfielders and defenders when you give a weak effort or get outmarked because they are doing their best to get it to you.
"A lot of hard work goes into getting the ball to the forwards so we need to work hard to either win the ball or create a stoppage."
Asked whether there were any aspects of his game he had paid close attention to over the pre-season, Perrie said: "My skill level is something I've worked hard on. I can improve on my decision-making and be more precise and efficient with the football.
"With Neil (Craig) taking the reins over the last six months, it has been a real learning curve for me because he has made me think hard about my footy and where I can get better."
Now an imposing 193cm and 102kg, Perrie is just one of a number of players who have 'bulked up' in recent months, and he says the football focus implemented this pre-season has been a contributing factor.
"Because we haven’t been doing quite as much running as in previous years, a number of players have been able to bulk up a bit," he said.
"When you are running hard each day, it can be difficult to put on weight during pre-season. We have been doing plenty of weights and football training where we need lots of power, and our bodies have adapted to that."
102 kilos...talk about bulking up.
Adelaide's Ian Perrie wants to make centre half-forward his own this year.
Having finished the 2004 season on a positive note, the 25-year-old left-footer has put in a big pre-season, adding an extra five kilos to his already solid frame.
"I want to cement my place at centre half-forward and play a minimum of 20 games," Perrie said.
"I have to make the most of this year. There is nothing standing in the way of me playing well. I have to make the most of my opportunities."
A Norwich Rising Star nominee in 2000, Perrie finished last season in excellent form, averaging 15 possessions and seven marks over the last five games from the tough centre half-forward position.
Without regular forward-line members Wayne Carey and Mark Stevens, he admits he enjoyed the challenge of filling such big boots.
"It was good to be the main focal point in the forward line," he said. "The players up the field tend to look for you more, rather than being the second or third option.
"It gave me the opportunity to get my hands on the footy and take some marks. I enjoyed myself up there contributing to the team."
Perrie, who has played 69 games since his debut in 2000, believes he is
best suited to playing across half-forward, but says he doesn’t mind being shifted down back when required.
"I don’t mind being shifted to different positions," he said. "I think it gives you variety to your game and it keeps you thinking all the time.
"However, I would like to settle at centre half-forward. I know there are people out there who still have their doubts about me, but I am working hard to improve my game.
"I hope to be given the chance to be a regular member of the forward line in 2005."
Noted for his attack on the football and competitiveness in the forward line, Perrie says there is a huge responsibility for whoever lines up in the forward 50.
"You need to give a genuine contest and try to keep the ball in the forward line," he said. "It can be disheartening to the midfielders and defenders when you give a weak effort or get outmarked because they are doing their best to get it to you.
"A lot of hard work goes into getting the ball to the forwards so we need to work hard to either win the ball or create a stoppage."
Asked whether there were any aspects of his game he had paid close attention to over the pre-season, Perrie said: "My skill level is something I've worked hard on. I can improve on my decision-making and be more precise and efficient with the football.
"With Neil (Craig) taking the reins over the last six months, it has been a real learning curve for me because he has made me think hard about my footy and where I can get better."
Now an imposing 193cm and 102kg, Perrie is just one of a number of players who have 'bulked up' in recent months, and he says the football focus implemented this pre-season has been a contributing factor.
"Because we haven’t been doing quite as much running as in previous years, a number of players have been able to bulk up a bit," he said.
"When you are running hard each day, it can be difficult to put on weight during pre-season. We have been doing plenty of weights and football training where we need lots of power, and our bodies have adapted to that."
102 kilos...talk about bulking up.
(3 games in 98 and 2 in 99.)
