CONSISTENCY is key for Carlton key defender Jacob Weitering in the lead up to 2020.
Heading into his fifth season in Navy Blue, the impressive young backman is looking forward to continuing the form of last season.
Speaking to SEN Breakfast on Tuesday afternoon, Weitering is eager to get stuck into what he hopes will be another full pre-season.
“There’s certainly some good parts to it but if you’re looking at the long-term, it’s a great building block for seasons of consistent football,” Weitering said.
“I found that out last year. I did most of pre-season, didn’t miss any sessions at all and I was able to play some consistent football.
“At the moment I’m probably waking up most days and going ‘what have we got today?’ in terms of kilometres run and how hard the sessions are going to be.”
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It will be the first pre-season under Senior Coach David Teague for the young Blue and his teammates.
Weitering is expecting the same confidence and freedom Teague afforded the playing group in back end of 2019 to carry into the pre-season and beyond.
“The boys just wanted to go out there and enjoy their football as much as possible and for us, that allowed us to train with a relaxed mindset, relaxed attitude and go out and just be confident in our abilities,” he said.
“He’s a really genuine guy, ‘Teaguey’ — very easy to get along with. He’s a family man, very relatable and then with his coaching, he’s had a wealth of experience.
“He’s been terrific for the young and old boys and we’re right behind him for season 2020.”
Emerging as one of the Blues’ best young leaders, Weitering is eager to see co-captain Sam Docherty return to his half back post in 2020.
After two years on the sidelines, Weitering is certain the returning star will reclaim his All-Australian form.
“He’s been a terrific asset both obviously off the field and on the field with what he’s been doing on the bench over the last two years,” he said.
“But to have him back on the field, [with] his leadership, the way he plays the game: for those who don’t remember, he is an All-Australian half back.
“He’s going to be an asset to us and hopefully he can have a consistent pre-season and come back raring to go.”