FREMANTLE forward Sam Sturt has opened up about his stressful path towards triggering a one-year contract extension, and he hopes he can kick his game up another gear in 2024.
Sturt, the No.17 pick in the 2018 draft, entered this season needing to play 10 games – excluding Gather Round – to trigger an extension for next year.
It loomed as a big task given he had only played four games in his AFL career up until that point.
But 2024 has become a breakout season for Sturt, who has notched 12 games for the season and booted 16 goals along the way to lock in his short-term future.
Sturt's recent form has been particularly impressive, with a three-goal haul against Brisbane a fortnight ago followed up with four goals in Saturday's 101-point win over West Coast.
The 23-year-old said he was "stoked" to trigger a contract extension, which was revealed in AFL.com.au's Inside Trading last week.
"I wanted an extra year," Sturt told reporters on Monday.
"It is stressful. I got dropped halfway through the season, and I thought, 'Gee, I might not get there'.
"It was rewarding when I got there. The club showed some great support in me this year.
"I was fairly confident if I didn't reach the number, they would have extended my contract anyway. Well, I hoped they would have."
Sturt booted three goals in his AFL debut against Essendon in 2020.
But he missed most of the rest of that season with a serious ankle injury, before knee surgery ruined his 2021 campaign.
Injuries aside, a perceived lack of defensive effort in the forward line has been a big knock on Sturt's career, but he has worked hard to address the issue.
"It was something he (coach Justin Longmuir) had spoken to me about," Sturt said.
"I knew it was something in my game I had to improve."
Sturt's diving tackle attempts against the Eagles last weekend highlighted his improved work ethic, and his accuracy over the past fortnight in kicking 7.0 has also been a big plus.
The 190cm forward isn't content with this season's efforts, with Sturt keen to keep improving.
"I feel like I've got another gear to give," Sturt said.
"Another pre-season and a full year next year will definitely do me the world of good.
"I'm at the level now ... that when I run out there, I'm not running out there hoping to get a touch, I'm running out there hoping to have a big impact on the game."
Fremantle (9-12) is already out of the finals race, but will be aiming to finish the season strongly when it takes on Port Adelaide in Perth on Sunday and Hawthorn at the MCG next week.
