Small forward Kayne Turner is eyeing a role further up the field this season, aiming to emulate the feats of teammate Sam Gibson.
With fellow small forwards Lindsay Thomas and Robbie Nahas out to cement spots in attack, the 19-year-old is determined to add another dimension to his game to complement his forward duties.
Turner said he intends to follow Gibson’s lead, whose game style is built around elite endurance, and has been watching his teammate closely.
“I like that small forward role but hopefully I’ll get to spend a bit more time up on the wing as well again,” Turner told NMFC.com.au.
“One of the best blokes at that position is Gibson. His running is elite so I have to try and keep increasing my endurance.
“He knows the role to a tee so I watched a fair bit of his vision and where he runs to and (I’m) learning the proper role.”
Turner impressed in his six appearances for the Kangaroos in his first year at Arden Street, registering 62 disposals, 26 tackles and eight goals.
The 180cm livewire has set himself the goal of playing a minimum of 10 matches for North this season.
After playing a dozen games for VFL affiliate Werribee before making his AFL debut in round 20, Turner said he hopes to be ready come round one.
“I’d really love to play 10 or more games. With the side we’ve got now, we’re starting to really build a strong side,” he said.
“The competition for spots is really heating up so if I can play 10 or more games this season, and then hopefully continue to build, that’d be great.”
Turner attributes his rise in the AFL ranks to the assistance he’s received since being recruited by North with pick No.25 in the 2013 rookie draft.
“Having the support of everyone around here helps a lot,” he said.
“When you first get here, you’re very nervous and don’t know many blokes, but when you get towards midway through the year, you feel a lot more comfortable around here.”
Since arriving at the club weighing just 65kg, the number 40 has added some muscle mass and now weighs 74kg.
Turner said gaining size has been a priority this pre-season but doesn’t want it to jeopardise his running ability and capacity to chase down his opponents in the process.
“I’m still trying to keep my running as good as it can be while I’m putting on weight, which is sometimes a bit of a challenge,” he said.
On the field, the teen earned the praise of his teammates last season for his fearless approach, highlighted on debut by a perfectly executed bump on GWS co-captain Phil Davis.
Turner said he sees the attacking elements of his game as a real asset and won’t be changing his ways now that he’s been elevated off the rookie list.
“Even when I was a rookie, I took it the same way as if I was on the senior list so not much has changed,” he said.
Senior coach Brad Scott is also a fan of the youngster’s no-holds-barred approach.
“He (Scott) still wants me to keeping hitting the gym and to keep playing with the same attacking, aggressive mindset (and to) not change what’s worked for me so far,” Turner said.
