IF THERE’S anyone at Carlton who knows the merit of a full pre-season, it’s Jacob Weitering.
After a difficult 2018, he has had no hesitation in crediting last year’s career-best campaign to a full summer.
Now readying himself for his fifth season in Navy Blue, the young defender is hoping that he can take his game to another level.
Speaking to Carlton Media, Weitering said his body is feeling as good as it ever has.
“This pre-season, I’ve just got a really good base — the base of the previous pre-season,” Weitering said.
“I know I’m confident in my body and how I can play the game… it was about getting the body right again, making sure I can run with a bit more weight on me and enjoying pre-season.
“Whether it’s positioning, the basics of spoiling, marking, whatever it may be, it’s perfecting those little minute details and building great chemistry with the back line.”
A major feature of Weitering’s 2019 was the partnership he formed with fellow key defender, Liam Jones.
Labelling his defensive counterpart as someone “you really want to have on your side”, Weitering said the focus for the upcoming year was a simple one.
After all, they don’t have to wait long for arguably the biggest task in the competition.
“To have him alongside me against duos like Tom Lynch and Jack Riewoldt in Round 1 is going to be a really exciting challenge,” he said.
"He's an exciting young player who we're really looking forward to seeing more footy from. He's building up really nicely."#BoundByBlue
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) January 14, 2020
“I’d like to have a bit more impact on the offensive of the ball, but first and foremost for ‘Jonesy’ and I, it’s getting our role done against those guys.
“There’s some very good forwards in the league and you saw last year they played a massive part in finals… the mindset going into it will be to eliminate them from the game.”
While Weitering is hoping to add to the offensive mode of the game, he hopefully won’t have to look far for support.
When quizzed about who was impressing so far in pre-season, his three picks were all in a similar vein: quick, clever ball-users from the back half.
Perhaps wisely, Weitering mentioned his returning captain straight off the bat.
“I’ll mention Sam Docherty, he’s definitely one who impressed me… people would’ve probably forgotten already that he’s an All-Australian centre half back,” he said.
“Tom Williamson is obviously coming back from injury: it’s really nice to see that left foot out on the park again.
“It’s exciting for the younger boys who are getting a good pre-season like Samo, who played a bit down there.”
