HOW QUICK the time goes.
Having started his AFL career across the Nullabor with Fremantle before his trade to Carlton, Adam Cerra will bring up his century of games this weekend.
Coming up on his 100th game, the midfielder can’t believe the immediacy of the milestone, noting he still remembers his draft night like it was yesterday.
Playing 76 games for Fremantle, Cerra referenced his fondness for his time there, as well as how excited he is to play week in and week out in front of his family and friends.
“I’m stoked to get to 100 – when you first get drafted, you’re just hoping to play and get a few games and live your dream. It feels like that was yesterday, it’s flown by,” Cerra said speaking on RSN Breakfast.
“A lot of those games were over at Fremantle - I loved my time there - and to be back in Melbourne playing my 100th, it’s exciting. I’ve got to pinch myself.”
Coming into the system as a top-five selection before a high-profile trade at the end of 2021, Cerra has never been one to seek the limelight.
Named in the 22under22 side three times, Cerra knows he's still got plenty of improvement to achieve his best football.
“As a player, I’ve still got a long way to go. I’m not the finished product: I'm still focusing on the day to day, trying to get better and hopefully the next 100 will be even better.”
When it comes to the game itself on Sunday, the message for Cerra and the Blues was clear: win it in the contest.
Adam Cerra was adamant that Carlton needs to clean up their contest work if they’re any chance to beat St Kilda, talking to Daniel Harford on RSN Breakfast this morning.
As well as working on their disposal efficiency and their decision making, Cerra believes the Blues will have to be at their contested ball-winning best to knock off the ladder-leading Saints.
“They’re quick, they’ve got lots of energy, I just think we have to contain their energy and speed and get it done in the contest – I think that’s where it’s going to be won,” Cerra said.
“We’ve got to get it done in the contest first then move the ball, be a bit smarter with the ball in hand, then move our way through the opposition defence.”
Admitting the Blues still have areas to tidy up in all areas of the ground, the 23-year-old - who has played multiple roles in the midfield and across half-back - has been focused on taking something new out of every game to improve on.
“We’re not satisfied with our performance – we’ve had to find some different ways to get some wins but comparing us to where we were last year, we still have some work to do,” he said.
“We’re coming out of games with new focuses and are going to continue getting to work at training and perform at our best and play our style for longer.”
