JACK Redden has been given no guarantees of a round one midfield berth at West Coast, despite the retirements of champions Matt Priddis and Sam Mitchell.
After an underwhelming start to his Eagles career following his 2015 trade from the Lions, Redden took strides forward late last year when he was handed more responsibility as a prime ball-winner and on a wing.
He averaged nearly 25 touches in the last nine games after being dropped mid-year, and was among the best in the dismal semi-final belting from the Giants.
After an underwhelming start to his Eagles career after his 2015 trade from the Brisbane Lions, Redden took strides forward late last year when he was handed more responsibility as a prime ball-winner.
But with competition for spots heating up amongst the club's next generation, the 27-year-old isn't expecting to be gifted a berth in the season opener against Sydney.
"Not at all. I've still got to earn my spot," Redden said.
"I've got to build on the back half of last year, and I've got to play some good footy throughout the JLT and keep training well.
"Obviously we've lost Mitch and Pridda through the midfield so there's some big holes to fill and we've got a lot of young, exciting mids.
"I'm just aiming to fill one of those spots."
Redden admitted he hasn’t hit the same heights at West Coast as he did at the Lions, where he played 129 games before being traded for pick 17.
But he has grown from his early struggles in Perth and, with "invaluable advice" from new assistant Mitchell, is ready to make his mark after not missing a beat this summer.
"Probably the timing of me coming over here with the trade I had a few injuries and a few setbacks (which) wasn't ideal," Redden said.
"But I think I've learnt a lot from that as a person and as a player, so hopefully I can play my best footy over here.
"Mitch has been really good, he's my coach and mentor in the midfield. He was pretty much coaching last year as well but it's gone up to a new level.
"He's got invaluable advice and experience to work with us mids coming through and I think he's going to be really good for our group."
The Eagles sweltered through a tough two-hour training session on Monday morning but were buoyed by the sight of spearhead Josh Kennedy back walking laps after ankle surgery last month.
There were more positive signs with veteran defender Eric Mackenzie (toe) being integrated into some skills drills.
After light sessions on the track last week, Luke Shuey completed running and kicking work away from the main group, while Nic Naitanui left training early after a series of running exercises.
