Mason Wood says he wants to take his game to the next level in 2017.
Speaking to RSN from the club’s pre-season training camp in Utah, Wood said he was ready to take on more leadership responsibilities in the year ahead.
“It’s really exciting leading into 2017,” the number 32 said.
“It’s definitely on the third, fourth year players to step up.
“(The departure of senior players) gives opportunities for guys to play, but also for guys to step up in a leadership capacity and that will be something I’m looking forward to having a crack at.”
Wood said the playing group was excited about what lay in store for 2017 and were putting no ceiling on their expectations next season.
“If we have a good run with injuries, I can’t see why we definitely can’t push for top 8. I’ve never been so excited coming in to the season really, so I can’t wait to get started,” he said.
Nineteen first-to-four-year players have made the trip to Utah, along with senior players Shaun Higgins, Andrew Swallow and Lindsay Thomas.
Wood said the stay in Park City, where the players sleep at around 3000 metres above sea-level, helped give them an added boost ahead of a gruelling pre-season.
“It’s a lot of running, a little bit of hiking,” he added.
“The theory is you train low, sleep up high and get as many red blood cells to regenerate so we’re able to run better when we come back to sea level.
“We’ll probably do two or three major hikes and climb anywhere up to 400 or 600 metres vertically. It does get tough as you go up… but it really does get your lungs going.”
This is the 23-year-old’s fifth pre-season camp in Utah.
“It gives us a leg up on the boys that are still back in Melbourne.”
“We’re always going to be pushing hard for spots, so that’s why it’s important to have a good pre-season.”
Meanwhile, Nathan Hrovat had his first official training session with his new club in Utah, with Wood saying the former Dog has plenty to offer the Roos.
“He’s come from a Premiership team… he’s already shown his leadership capabilities from just one training session. He’s an elite ball user, super fit, so he’s going to add another dimension to our midfield and small forward brigade.”
