Runs and wickets are normally what dominates Caleb Serong’s dreams in February but the prized Fremantle draftee believes his full-time focus on football is already paying dividends.
Serong juggled the two codes during his junior career and was playing for Geelong Grammar School’s first XI this time last year.
But snared by Fremantle with pick No.8 in last year’s national draft, Serong has put his full attention into football and is already noticing the difference.
He says the exposure to bigger, faster and stronger bodies has fast-tracked his development and he’s pushing hard for a spot in the club’s pre-season opener against Carlton on February 29.
The 19-year-old knows a strong showing in the club’s intraclub hitout on Friday could secure him a spot against the Blues in Mandurah.
“The more training you do, the better you’re going to be as a player,” Serong said.
“So for me having that extra running and gym under my belt compared to my last previous years, it will definitely hold me in good stead. I’m really excited about what I can do this year.
“For me I’d love to play in the (pre-season) series but it’s up to the coaches in the end.”
Serong played through the midfield and up forward in the club’s first intraclub hitout last week.
During that clash, Serong came up against Nat Fyfe.
“It was a pretty solid hit-out. I find the more minutes I play at that high level, the more comfortable you feel,” Serong said.
“The more exposure I get to that high speed and the bigger (bodies) and the more intense pressure, the better I’ll be.”
Serong and fellow first-round draft pick Hayden Young lived with Fyfe for three weeks after arriving at the club, and they used that time to learn as much as they could from the two-time Brownlow medallist.
“He kicked us out after Christmas. We were trying to pick his brain too much, he got sick of us I think,” Serong joked.
“When I was living with Fyfey it was really good to … see the elite habits he has and try to take a few of those away with us.
“I’ve just moved in with a couple of boys, Lloyd Meek, Sam Switkowski and Jarvis Pina.”
