WITH injuries behind him, hard-bodied Port Adelaide midfielder Andrew Moore is building towards becoming the player the club hoped he would.
The 22-year-old was drafted by the Power with pick No.9 at the 2009 NAB AFL Draft, along with key forward John Butcher at pick No.8.
Plagued by injury, groin and hamstring issues held Moore to just 13 matches in his first two years at Alberton.
But after playing 11 games straight last year, Moore has featured in the Power's past 10 encounters to bring his season tally to a career-high 14.
Importantly, Moore told AFL.com.au his body had managed to hold up over the past two years and allowed him to "build that base".
"Having the confidence in my body to go out there and know that I'm not going to pick up consistent injuries has really helped me play consistent football," Moore said.
"I feel fantastic, this is the most games I've played since I've been here and pre-season is a massive key to that.
"Everyone always talks about it but if you can complete as much as you can it really does help at this time of year.
"I haven't managed a full one yet, but I did do more this year compared to the pre-season before and the one before that."
He's averaged a career-best 16 disposals a game, which peaked with 25 in the club's hard-fought wins over Collingwood and the Brisbane Lions.
Over the past month his six tackles a match rank him inside the top 15 stoppers in the competition.
At 188cm and 89kg, Moore is an imposing unit in the Power's engine room – a reputation he's keen to uphold.
"For us inside onballers we have to make tackling our A-game and really put the pressure on, put the heat on so we can try and turn it over and get the pill in our hands," he said.
"A massive focus for me heading into each game is that I have to put on a lot of pressure, show my aggression out on the field and have that imposing body out there.
"If I don't have that I don't have that I don't think I play my best."
As well as his body allowing him game time, Moore attributed his rise in 2013 to playing alongside skipper Travis Boak, vice-captain Brad Ebert and gun Hamish Hartlett.
Boak in particular has taken his game to another level this season and his 26 disposals a game have him rated an outside chance for the Brownlow Medal.
Hartlett has accumulated more possessions (402) this season than in any other since his debut and Brad Ebert is also on track for a career-best year at 23 touches a game.
"They're the big guys that have really stepped up this year and are playing some really good football," Moore said.
"That's been the biggest thing helping me progress my game, especially inside."
Moore admitted it was a "sigh of relief" to have qualified for the imminent finals campaign.
While exciting and great for experience, he insisted next weekend's elimination final was just the beginning.
"Hopefully we can use that for the years to come – it's a great step, but it's really only a small step towards the bigger picture," he said.
