Young defender Mason Redman has lauded the club’s pre-season camp in Coffs Harbour, saying the change in scenery has been greatly beneficial for the squad.

The Bombers arrived in the coastal town on Sunday for the five-day trip and Redman said the team would springboard off its valuable development on and off the field.

“It’s been unreal, it’s good having a little change-up from Melbourne for the boys,” Redman said on Sportsday NSW on Wednesday. 

“It’s a bit more humid up here so the training is bound to be a little bit harder. We had a good session there yesterday morning and then on Thursday morning we’ve got another belter. 

“We’ve put in a lot of hard work on the track and a lot of connection and growth off the field, which is what the aim of the camp is. It’s been really enjoyable so far and hopefully…we can really build on that.”

The 22-year-old entered the pre-season off the back of a breakthrough 2019 season that yielded 20 impressive games at senior level. 

The tough and versatile Bomber had played just five games in his first three seasons in red and black, but he quickly solidified his place in the side to finish the year with an average of 17 disposals and 5.1 intercept possessions per game.

A classy user of the ball, the composed half-back said he took plenty of confidence out of the season and was hopeful he would continue to rise through the ranks.

“For me, personally, it was a massive growth year; I was able to get my body right and start performing the way I wanted to.

“Getting in there and playing alongside our senior players was really beneficial for me and hopefully this year I can take my performance to another level and as a team as well, I hope we can take it a few weeks further.”

While open to any opportunities to push up the ground, Redman said he was happy to stay settled sweeping across half-back as he heads into his fifth season at The Hangar. 

“In this point in my career I would love to take my game off the half-back flank to the next level,” he said. 

“Certainly in the future I’ve got goals and aspirations to move up the ground a little bit, but at this stage for the team, my role in the team is firmly at half-back at the moment.

“If that does change and the coaches do want to throw me around a little bit, I’ll be more than prepared. I’m just looking forward to the season starting and getting into it.”