HE ANNOUNCED himself as a legitimate AFL ruckman in 2013, but Gold Coast's Tom Nicholls isn't kidding himself – there's plenty to work on to complete the package.
The 21-year-old of Fijian heritage had to wait until his third season to get a decent shot at senior action, and he didn't let the chance slip.
Zac Smith's misery with a torn anterior cruciate ligament turned into Nicholls' opportunity.
The 201cm ruckman played eight games, averaged 23 hit-outs and showed surprising athleticism around the ground to win a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination.
But the same injury curse that gave him a chance also cost him, when he suffering a knee problem late in the season.
It was later discovered the gentle giant had split his quad tendon, costing him an even greater chunk of the pre-season.
Now back into full running – he ran a 2km personal best in the past week – Nicholls is focused on improving again this season.
Suns coach Guy McKenna has a headache looming, with Smith recovering strongly from his knee reconstruction and likely to be available alongside Nicholls early in the season.
Nicholls said he had many areas of his game to improve to be the club's first-choice ruckman.
"Definitely fitness would be number one (thing I could improve)," Nicholls said.
"The other ruckmen I came up against were running all day; I found myself blowing up.
"The other one would be strength straight under that. They're a lot bigger than me. Those two will be able to help me compete out there."
Despite the frustration of missing a chunk of the pre-season, Nicholls was keeping things in perspective and now knows he has what it takes at the top level.
"Smithy had an ACL and Sebby Tape had the same injury, so you get on with it and think 'Who am I to complain?'
"Last year definitely made me believe that I do belong here.
"I've only played a handful of games, I've got heaps to prove and so much to improve, but stringing those few games together helped me believe in myself a bit more and know that I could compete out there at least."
