SECOND-YEARLion Chris Schmidt hopes to keep climbing the learning curve in 2008 – both onand off the field.
Schmidt,who played two games in his first season at the Gabba last year, will soonbegin studying human movement at the University of Queensland, with a view toprogressing to physiotherapy.
Likethe rest of the Lions’ 2006 draft class, the 18-year-old spent 2007 involved inthe AFL Players Association’s apprenticeship program.
"IfI hadn’t have been drafted I would probably have started uni, played at WestAdelaide, and nominated for the next year’s draft," Schmidt toldlions.com.au.
"Butit was definitely good to have a year off studying in my first year here. Itprobably helped me settle into the club and the city and really concentrate onmy footy.
"Atthe same time, now it’s going to be good to have my university studies to takemy mind off things.
"Hopefullyit will give me something that can help with life after footy."
Schmidt’stwo senior games in 2007 came in the dramatic round-10 draw with Richmond andthe round-11 loss to the Western Bulldogs at the Gabba.
Ironically,Schmidt was drafted with pick No.34 of the 2006 NAB AFL Draft, which the Lionsreceived from the Bulldogs in exchange for Jason Akermanis.
Asfleeting as his taste of AFL action was last year, Schmidt says he learntplenty about what is required at the highest level.
"Youalways hope you’ll get a game in your first year but I thought if I did itwould most likely be towards the end of the season," Schmidt recalled.
"Inthe end, I was going okay in the reserves and the opportunity came up earlier,so that was great.
"Themain thing I noticed was how much quicker it was than AFLQ footy – it’sbasically bigger and stronger bodies moving a lot faster."
Schmidt,who shares a house with Matthew Leuenberger, Haydn Kiel and Joel Tippett, willspend a sizeable portion of the current off-season building up his body, bothin terms of resilience and size.
About of osteitis pubis last year has resulted in a strict regime of stretchingand pilates, while he is also aiming to bulk his 189cm frame up to 86kg – 2kgmore than his current weight and 8kg heavier than when he arrived at the club.
Schmidt’sweight gain strategy will no doubt involve recipes learnt from a sourcefamiliar to many young Lions players.
"Iwas lucky last year in that I stayed with Craig Lambert and his wife Melissaand they were really good to me," he said.
"Melissais a great cook and she’s taught me a few dishes that I’m now cooking myself.
"Iwas pretty well prepared when it came to leaving home because there are onlytwo clubs in Adelaide and the chance was always higher that I’d end upsomewhere else.
