Fletcher Roberts is excited about 2017.
By his own admission, consistency and continuity have eluded him in the run-up to recent seasons, but having not missed a beat this pre-season and fresh off a solid opening JLT Series hitout, Roberts is optimistic about what the new year might bring.
“I found [Saturday] really good, he told westernbulldogs.com.au after training on Thursday.
“I’ve been able to get the full pre-season in this year, not like other years when I’ve had a few injuries, so that’s really positive and I was able to take that into the game.
“I was running around out there pretty well which is exciting to me on a personal level.”
Roberts and his fellow backs ‘weathered a storm’ during the Demons six-point win as coach Luke Beveridge put it, and Roberts was a shining light, winning his share of battles with Melbourne’s forwards and setting up regular drives off of half back, leading the team in rebound 50s.
“It’s a big growth area for me, being able to get the ball in my hands and use the ball, he said.
“I really need to grow that side of my game and I have been working on it this preseason. With a few kick out duties on the weekend, I was able to get the ball into my hand and rebound for us.”
As he often did last season, Roberts was again at the top of the stats sheet for one percenters, with only Marcus Adams ahead on the weekend, a player Roberts has high hopes for.
“Marcus is obviously a very good player and played a lot of very good games last year, he said.
“He’s back into the full swing of things now and is growing every week. He’s going to be a strong performing player this year.”
As for Roberts himself, he just wants to play football – whether that is in one or more of the remaining JLT Series games.
“[It’ll] depend on who’s available to be selected - we’re going to give everyone a fair crack if they’re ready to go.
“Hopefully it’s two, I can play and be ready for the start of the season and hopefully get a game in Round 1.”
The Bulldogs next take on Brisbane at Etihad Stadium on Thursday, March 2.
