BRAYDEN Fiorini has earned the respect of his teammates off the field, now he wants to earn it on the field.
Injuries have restricted Fiorini to 26 games in his first three seasons, but that didn't stop the Suns from electing him into their leadership group.
The 21-year-old has a strong voice among his peers, speaks up in meetings, talks on behalf of the group and has a tireless work ethic.
Now he wants to prove himself as a week-in, week-out player.
"I'm still inexperienced and I want to get out on the field all 22 games this year hopefully, help the boys out there and prove my on-field leadership as well," Fiorini said.
"I have been up and down with injuries but tried to get my body right through the pre-season and fingers crossed it stays like that.
"Every main session I've completed.
"I've ticked that box and it gives me a lot of confidence."
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When he has got on the field, Fiorini has looked every bit a long-term player.
He polled a Brownlow vote in his second career game in 2016 with 32 disposals and two goals against Port Adelaide and averages 22 touches a game across his young career.
A knee injury wiped out much of his first year, while a leg injury, that required surgery to remove some small spurs, kept him to just 11 games last season.
With Anthony Miles and George Horlin-Smith recruited to bolster the midfield and Ben Ainsworth and Jack Bowes set to play more prominent roles as well, Fiorini says winning a spot will be difficult.
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"There's really good competition in the midfield, which will make us better," he said.
"It keeps me on my toes.
"Every training session and game you've got to play your role and that's how you're going to get a game this year.
"It's good, healthy competition, we haven't really had that in the past."