Despite kicking seven goals in his last two matches, Wood wants to become more defensively minded.
“There are a few things I’m working on, staying alert, staying switched on,” Wood told NMFC.com.au.
“I need to put a real focus on defensive things and think about them more than I probably do. Coming from TAC Cup level, as a forward you don’t have a huge defensive aspect to your role but it’s completely different at VFL/AFL level.
“I’ve made huge improvement from last year to this year in this area, but from VFL to AFL is another step as well. Although it’s good to be hitting the scoreboard it’s not just about kicking goals. Defensive pressure is something I’m putting a lot of time into so that I can be well-rounded.”
Playing two NAB Challenge games at the start of the year against Carlton and Geelong gave Wood a taste of footy at the highest level.
“I learnt a lot in the NAB Challenge games…AFL teams hit targets that VFL teams don’t. You’ve got to be right on the hammer the whole time, and keep in front of your opponent, especially on those attacking half-backers,” Wood said.
“It’s just a whole other step up; they’re a whole lot quicker. I played on Andrew Mackie for a while and there were a couple of times where he got a metre goal side of me and they just hit one through the middle and took off. You have to be on your toes and work that much harder all the time.
“It was a great experience and something you have to take on for the rest of the year and understand what it takes to get to that level.”
Keeping a close eye on forwards Drew Petrie and Aaron Black is giving Wood more knowledge and understanding of the way Brad Scott and the coaches need him to play in order to take the next step.
“Watching Blacky and Drewy, they might not be the best tacklers in the team but they still chase defensively and set up really well and lay tackles, which at the minute I’m making a few but they’re not as damaging as you’d want them to be,” Wood said.
“Tackle technique is something I have to get right so I’m working with John Donohue (grappling coach) on that. I’ve got to stick a lot more tackles because I’m not quite a key position player; I’m sort of in between so I have to be able to do both.”
With the likes of Petrie, Black and Daw in North’s forward line, it won’t be easy for Wood to squeeze in, but he’s prepared to be patient and work hard until his name is eventually called.
“Blacky is my mentor which is funny because his position is the one I’m fighting for. He’s the one that I look up to the most since we play the same role. Blacky played a few games in his first three years but didn’t cement his spot until his fourth season and I’m only in my second, so it’s encouraging to hear about his experiences and understand that it takes time.
“I wouldn’t say I’m knocking the door down just yet, but I’m definitely going to do everything I can to put my best foot forward and earn my opportunity. You never know what can happen in footy so I want to get to the stage where I earn my place in the side and push my way in due to form.”
The AFL and VFL sides will enjoy a short break this weekend due to a bye but Wood won’t be resting much.
“You don’t want to take the foot of the pedal so to speak so I’ll still have things to work on over the bye weekend. We’ll all have individual programs and I’ll still have plenty to do.
“When you’re at the stage where you are really trying to improve and get closer to playing AFL, you can’t take too much time off, but it will be nice to have a little break and its Mother’s Day on Sunday so I’ll go down to Geelong to visit Mum.”
