Crichton Medal winner Brendon Goddard is excited about the position his club is in as he prepares to kick off his 2014 pre-season campaign.

Goddard will join other senior Bombers in returning to training next Monday with the club’s first to fourth year players already having already commenced their training.

The Bombers midfielder said he was full of optimism heading into his 12th AFL season.

“I think we are in a great position to challenge in the next three or four years,” Goddard said (told the Herald Sun).

“I think we can take a lot of positives out of the year (2013) in general.”

“Everyone tends to focus on all the negatives but considering what was happening and how the boys were performing under such duress, particularly with Hirdy and the other coaches, I thought it was an unbelievable effort and should hold us in good stead for 2014 and beyond.”

Goddard said his body was feeling good and refreshed after not requiring post-season surgery.

“It’s the second year running in about six years that haven’t had to have surgery, so I’m all fit and healthy,” he said.

“Obviously I had a program to do in the off-season. I’m old enough to realize that it’s easier to stay fit than get fit.”

Goddard had a stellar first season in the red and black confirming his standing as one of the elite midfielders in the competition.

He was rewarded by winning his first best and fairest award finishing on 431 votes ahead of captain Jobe Watson on 382 votes.

“On a personal note, I said it at the time that I was honoured to win the award, but I didn’t go to the club to win individual awards,” he said.