YOUNG Brisbane Lions midfielder Jarrod Berry says he'll be fit for the start of the season despite dealing with a foot injury that currently has him in a moon boot.
Berry had an outstanding debut season in 2017, playing 16 games, but missed the final month with what the club called a "minor" foot problem.
The 19-year-old has returned to pre-season training with a recurrence of the same problem, but told The Roar Deal podcast it would not hinder his 2018.
"It's not a long-term thing and the club is just taking cautionary measures to make sure it's right for the start of the season," Berry said.
"I'm just keeping off it and having a bit of rest and letting it settle.
"Around Christmas I'll know a bit more in-depth where I sit and how long it's going to take for me to come back.
"Definitely, I should definitely be right for then (round one)."
Berry was taken at No.17 in last year's draft and was so impressed by his first year in Brisbane he has already extended his contract until the end of 2020.
The robust midfielder admitted he thought he would go to another club, but said he was pleasantly surprised when the Lions took him in the draft.
"Brisbane, I actually didn't catch up with them after finishing the season, so to get picked up by them was a huge surprise, but a good one," he said.
"I got followed by the official West Coast page, that was early in the (draft) week, so from then on I thought I was going to West Coast.
"Luckily it turned out that way because I wouldn't change it for anything.
"I can always remember getting back up to my hotel room and putting the Lions jumper on, and I ended up sleeping in it. It was pretty awesome."
Berry said he had experienced some homesickness in his first season, but had never thought of going anywhere.
"I've never been as happy," he said.
"It's just really appealing to me where the club's heading and I recognised that and believed in that pretty early.
"I want to be a big part of turning it around and becoming a successful club again."