WHEN Cooper Lord enters the Carlton Media studio ahead of his impending contract extension announcement, he’s asked why he’s adamant that IKON Park is the right place for him.

“I’m extremely certain, I’m so happy at Carlton.

“It’s crazy to think where I was 12 months ago and where I’ve got to. I’m really grateful for all that has happened - and I want to make the most of it.”

Let’s cast out minds back 12 months ago, then. On the back of a Coates Talent League premiership with Sandringham, Lord had signed for North Melbourne’s VFL team, occasionally featuring as a top-up in their AFL sessions but without life as an AFL footballer imminently on the horizon.

That all changed in May, when after some promising VFL form, Lord was pleasantly surprised that the Blues called out his name on the night of the mid-season draft.

He just wanted an opportunity then. Now, he’s got at least another two years in Navy Blue - and with two senior games under his belt to boot.

Yet, right now, he finds himself in the closing stages of his first official pre-season.

“For some things I’m classified as a first-year player, which can be a little bit weird - but let’s run with it. Things like induction day, that was really fun: I got to do what I couldn’t do last year.

“They were unexpected areas for me, coming into my first pre-season. They’re definitely longer days and the workload is much bigger, so my ability to manage time outside when I’m here is pretty crucial. I’m pretty wrecked when I get home.”

But not as wrecked as his premiership teammate at the Sandringham Dragons in Matthew Carroll, who it’s been well-established has earned the nickname ‘Jeff’ for his sleeping tendencies in his first year.

There’s also Jagga Smith, of course, who Lord admits it’s still taking time to get used to that the best mates from high school are at the same club looking to make their own mark in the Carlton midfield.

“It’s coming to be a bit more of a routine, but it’s still kind of weird: we still talk about how crazy it is that we’re actually together here. We love coming into the Club every day, it’s pretty cool to be able to share these moments with your best mate.

“There’s the occasional hiccup where we get a bit angry towards each other because we’re spending so much time together… but that’s what best mates do!”

While the season proper is currently still an unknown quantity for Smith, that’s actually the part that Lord is used to, having had the exposure to crucial games for the Blues against West Coast and St Kilda late last year.

He’s had the luxury of calling some of his senior mentors his teammates already, and in terms of his chase for the constant progression which AFL Senior Coach Michael Voss values so much, Lord feels as though he couldn’t have asked for better mentors.

“Guys like Adam Cerra, I’ve spent a lot of time training with him over the off-season. The standard he trains at, he’s so professional, so he’s been a really good one for me.

“Obviously the likes of ‘Crippa’ and ‘Walshy’ are amazing mentors, and I’ve been doing a fair bit of stuff post-training with George Hewett… everyone loves Georgey. He’s such a hard worker, and that’s what I’m drawn to about him: to go with his work ethic, he’s so down to earth and he’s always there to help you out. He’s an amazing character.”

Lord has been mixing it with some of the Blues’ established inside midfielders for a number of months, earning praise around the traps for the way he has approached his first pre-season during life as an AFL footballer. That has included not only the way he has gone about training, but the condition he returned in when training resumed back in November.

For Lord, it was a clear focus when he entered the off-season - but it wasn’t without a period of adjustment for the 19-year-old.

“I think the media team helped me out a bit - very kind! I actually didn’t put any size on, my weight maintained the same. But I just tried to be really clean with my diet, being precise with what I was putting into my body. It’s made me feel lighter and faster on the field.

“The end of last year and the pre-season has given me the feeling and the taste of it. I’ve been able to be hungry for what’s ahead, to put my head down and train hard. Whilst missing out on the elimination final was tough, it has lit a fire in me that I want to be there this year.

“A lot of my goals for 2025 are on-field goals, in terms of bettering my strengths and getting the most out of myself. There are so many great resources here, so for me, my parents have always told me to get the most of the opportunity I have because it can pass pretty quickly. So I’m going to keep getting to work and we’ll see what happens.”

Well spoken.

In his re-signing, Lord was lauded for his maturity at such a young age by Head of List Management Nick Austin. He’s wise beyond his years, if you will.

Maybe his new nickname around the football department may have a meaning that extends beyond the obvious.

“There’s been a couple floating around recently, I still do get called ‘Scoop’ - but I’m getting a few new ones. Aaron Hamill has come up with ‘Gospel’, I don’t mind it.

“The boys seem to be running with those two, either ‘Scoop’ or ‘Gos’ out on the field. It helps it stick when ‘Vossy’ is mentioning it in a meeting: he called me it once, so I reckon it could stay.”