When the star midfielder headed into the rooms at the MCG after dislocating his shoulder against Collinwood in round 7 last year, the pain on his face was clear to see. He was dealt a cruel blow with his season over and surgery required.
While the scars still remain, a new level of determination has emerged. Enthusiastic, energized and invigorated, Anthony is literally bursting out of his skin and ready to do battle on the field.
"I can't wait to just get out on the park really. I'm itching to go," Anthony told kangaroos.com.au.
Injuries haven't been kind to the 23 year-old since arriving at North Melbourne but today he couldn't be in better shape as readies himself for the club's first intra-club match in a fortnight.
"It's probably been the biggest pre-season I've ever had. I've actually been able to complete every session. It's a massive step up from my first two years.
"Utah obviously has helped. From my best time last year to this year I've knocked 50 seconds off around Princes Park which is a pretty big improvement. I'm probably as fit as I've been at the moment."
The West-Australian is back into full contact training and has full confidence in his injured shoulder. While he's shown strong form on the track, there's still one glaring hurdle he's yet overcome.
"It's more mental with me being able to get my mind right…telling myself that I can go and tackle, I can get the hard ball…it’s more that than my shoulder not being right."
Anthony says his confidence continues to grow with every session and the excitement level within the Kangaroos' young group is helping him through.
"We're a really close group and the morale this year is like nothing I've ever experienced at a footy club before. Everyone's playing for each other and getting amongst each other."
Following his debut in 2009, the midfielder quickly earned the tag as a ‘ball-magnet’. His average speaks for itself with almost 25 possessions a game listed on his stats sheet. But he's not content simply playing an attacking role.
"I've always felt comfortable running forward, but just running defensively I needed to improve. So with a greater fitness base that's obviously going to help me run both ways a bit harder," Anthony added.
"It's all well and good going one way, but if the team is not going so well and you are getting burnt the other way you've got to help the team."
That team-first attitude should hold him in good stead nurturing North's up and comers too, despite this being just his third season.
"I've only played 17 games but I still feel like I can teach the young kids a thing or two. Even with the way I train or a bike or a swim, I feel like a few of the young kids look up to me because I have to go pretty hard not being as naturally fit as some of the other boys.
"It's probably an aspiration of mine in years to come, to mature on and off the field and look to help the young kids."
