Football clubs are in some ways an extension of a player’s family, but when you cross the white line and train, the competition is brutal new recruit Matt Fuller says.
The raking left-foot kick is quickly learning that the Western Bulldogs mean business at training and players will risk life and limb when the ball is in dispute.
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“The intensity definitely goes up – it’s not really as friendly out here,” Fuller said.
“You really have to stand up and be a man out here, otherwise you are just going to get trampled.”
Off the track the 2013 second round draftee has been welcomed with open arms to the Club, especially within the group of defenders, and he is absorbing every bit of information he gets.
“The boys have been very generous, getting around me a fair bit – it’s always nice when they welcome you in like that,” he said.
“They help me out immensely and they are always there when you need them and they will show you what you have done wrong and what you have done right.”
Appointed Bob Murphy as his mentor, Fuller is constantly impressed with the amount of knowledge and wisdom he is willing to impart.
“He’s probably the most knowledgeable footballer I’ve ever met in my life and you watch him out on the track and he’s just amazing,” he said.
“I will pick his brain as much as I can and learn as much as I can off of him.”
Turning that new found knowledge into practice may take a little longer to perfect, but Fuller is driven to improve his technique and defensive craft.
“That’s probably the best part for me at the moment, just figuring out the best way to defend a very, very good forward,” he said.
“You learn more when you are a bit negative out at training - I think looking back at it you’ll figure out where you’ve got wrong and how to get better.”
With a senior debut in his sights, Fuller is determined to put in the hard work to be best placed ahead of season 2014.
“You don’t come out here and train every day not to play, you are here to get a game and that is what I want to do,” he said.
