FREMANTLE draftee Caleb Serong has been given immediate exposure to an inside midfield role during the Dockers' internal trials, with an impressive pre-season lifting his chances of an early debut.
Serong, who didn't complete footy pre-seasons as a junior because of his cricket commitments, has enjoyed an uninterrupted summer and is ready to play full minutes in Friday's extended intraclub hitout.
The 19-year-old lined up against more seasoned midfield teammates, including Nat Fyfe and Andrew Brayshaw, in last Friday's first intraclub but said he was aiming for Marsh Community Series selection before thinking about round one.
MARSH SERIES FIXTURE When and where your team is playing this pre-season
"Having that extra running and gym under the belt, compared to my previous years, that will definitely hold me in good stead and I'm really excited about what I can do hopefully this year," Serong said on Monday.
"I'd love to play some Marsh Series, but it's up to the coaches … (and) I'll hit Friday's intraclub pretty hard.
"At the moment I'm playing a little bit inside mid and then a bit up forward as well."
A tough ball-winner and hard tackler at under-18 level, Serong's clean hands and neat disposal were also on display at training on Monday morning.
Sean Darcy, meanwhile, jogged laps with no strapping on the shoulder he injured during last Friday's intraclub. Ruckman Lloyd Meek ran laps as he returns from a foot injury.
In the rehab group, veteran midfielder David Mundy (leg) completed short run-throughs, while key defender Alex Pearce (ankle) lifted his running pace.
Serong said Vic Country teammate Hayden Young had enjoyed a strong pre-season, utilising his accurate kicking across half-back.
The pair lived with Fyfe for three weeks before Christmas, picking up some of the "elite habits" that have made the captain a dual Brownlow medallist.
"When I was living with Fyfey, it was really good to pick his brain and see the elite habits that he has and take a few of those away with me," Serong said.
"It was really good living with him for those three weeks before moving in with a host family, 'Youngy' and I.
"I’ve since moved in with a couple of boys now, Lloyd Meek, Sam Switkowski and Jarvis Pina. I moved in over the weekend so that was pretty good."
