While some players have to look far and wide to find inspiration and a role model, developing Roo ruckman Ben Mabon says he has been spoiled for choice at Aegis Park.

“Doing my player review and vision every week with Hamish McIntosh is helping me get into the right spots and watching Todd Goldstein at games has been an amazing help,” he told kangaroos.com.au.

“I also spend some time with Alex Ishchenko who’s been teaching me how to use my body in the contest.”

Mabon’s form in recent weeks in the VFL with North Ballarat has been extremely encouraging for the Kangaroos; his 40 hit-out game against Sandringham on Sunday a career best.

“Personally I didn’t think I had a bad game. I got my hands to a few taps and a few of them went to advantage which was nice,” Mabon said.

The 20-year old is more intent on paying tribute to his teachers, than speaking about himself.

“Jason Lappin our development coach has been fantastic with keeping me honest with everything I do from marking, to ruck-work, to following up after stoppages and around the ground. Now I’m starting to see a bit of reward for that effort, but I still have a long, long way to go in all those areas.”

Mabon watches Goldstein in action very closely and takes every opportunity to train against him.

“It’s unbelievable working with him out on the track, but so good because it shows me where I need to get to in order to be a good player in the AFL.

“I just admire what he does every week. On Friday he played against (Matthew) Kreuzer and ran him around everywhere and he also works really hard back to help out the defenders and spreads hard forward which makes him such a crucial part of the team.

“I want to be like Goldy and I want to be like Hamish. Ideally I want to be a combination of both and take the best out of both of them.”

While adding more strings to his bow is one thing, Mabon acknowledges the need to put on more weight and increase his strength in the gym.

But that’s nothing new.

“I was about 85 kilos in Utah and am about 91 now,” he explained.

“Eventually I’ll be up around the 100 kilo mark, but we can’t stack it on too quick because it might have a negative impact on my running and that sort of thing. I’ve always been pretty light and have always been aware that I need to improve in that area if I’m going to be able to match it with the bigger bodies.”

Time though is on his side and efforts like what he produced on the weekend will only deliver him the confidence he needs to realise his dream of playing in AFL.

“I just have to build on my game from the weekend now and do my best around the ground to help out the midfielders.

“One day I hope I can run out for North and put it into practice.”