KANGAROOS youngster Ben Ross couldn't have asked for atougher introduction to life on an AFL list.
After being taken by the Kangaroos at selection No.3 in lastyear's pre-season draft, the exciting speedster with the big hair from theVictorian country town of
His mission was to discover more about what it takes to playsenior football; it was a steep learning curve.
Among his most important lessons was adapting to the monotonyof flying interstate every second week. He also found it 'character-building' tobe on the end of regular beltings in a team light-on for depth.
As much as he knew this rugged initiation would eventually holdhim in good stead for what he hopes is a long and successful career, the formerVictorian under-18 representative admits he found the back end of the season a bit of a grind.
Adding to his frustration was the fact that rather thanspending time in his preferred position on the ball, he was made to play moreas a permanent forward, a tough place to get a kick when keeping the deficit to10 goals was cause for celebration.
But rather than looking back with disappointment on 2007,Ross says his experiences will help him as he goes about trying to force hisway into the Kangaroos' AFL side next year.
"It was good experience flying interstate every second weekand I'm sure it'll help me further along in my career," Ross says.
"But it can be tough when you know you are going to beup against it as a team just about every week and that, as AFL-listed playerswho were still pretty young, a fair bit was expected of us.
"So it'll be good next year knowing I'll be playing in
When pressed on what he needs to do to improve his gameheading into next season, the 19-year-old is unequivocal.
"A little bit of everything, really," Ross sayswith little hesitation.
"I suppose I have to mainly work on my general fitness.I feel like that's coming along pretty well but my aim is to get a lot fitterthan I was last year.
"If I can increase my endurance levels I'll hopefullybe able to push into the midfield next year rather than staying up forward andthat'll give me the best chance of making it into the ones.
"I think my game is better suited to playing in themidfield than being permanently up forward but I know if that's what I'm goingto do I have to work really hard."
As with most nippy, goalkicking midfielders, Ross is alsoconscious of adding weight to his light frame.
Coming to the club weighing 73kg, Ross has added threekilograms in the 12 months since being drafted and hopes to have added another oneor two more by the end of the pre-season. Combine his new haircut with a morefinely-chiselled frame and fans can expect Ross to have a different appearancein 2008.
Adding to the change will be a new guernsey number afterRoss agreed to shed his old No.37 and take on the No.15 jumper previously wornby 2007 retiree Kasey Green.
Ross says he didn't think twice in accepting accept thenumber also made famous by modern-day Roo greats Malcolm Blight and Ross Smith.
"I was happy to take No.15 when they came to me andasked if I wanted to change numbers.
"Kasey Green was pretty popular around the club and heset a great example around the place so I didn't hesitate when I was offeredhis old number."
With 2007 regulars Green and Glenn Archer departing Arden Stin the off-season, Ross knows the chance is there for him to make an impact onthe Roos' best 22 next year.
"I set myself pretty high standards and I think I'vegot myself a pretty good fitness base at the moment so I'm hoping to have apretty good impact on the senior team this year.
"Whether that's a few games or a dozen or half a dozen,I hope I'm at the very least putting pressure on the senior guys by playingwell in the VFL because that means they have to keep playing well to keep theirplace.
"If that happens, it means the team will benefit andthat I'll eventually get my chance if a spot does happen to open up so Isuppose it's up to me now."
