Winter has played most of his football in the forward line - he played at full-forward for the Calder Cannons and kicked three goals in the 2001 Grand Final. He has strong hands and is a very big right-foot kick. Standing at 193cm, the rookie will be a real focal point in front of goal. ""I have played forward for all of my junior footy and a little bit in the ruck, but not much - I prefer to play forward. I have played all over the ground so far in the practice matches - forward, back and ruck. Terry (Daniher) wants us to be flexible,"" Winter said.
The Essendon local believes there is added pressure being a rookie - pressure that comes from within. ""There is a little bit of pressure but it is your own - you want to get there and make it. I think being on the rookie list you work harder than being on the senior list - because you continually have to prove yourself. You have to make sure you are better than every one else because you still have to make another step,"" Winter said. Winter takes inspiration from rookies that have gone on to make the senior list. According to Winter these rookies, in particular Damien Peverill, are motivation for himself and he hopes he can come through and do the same thing. ""You have to work hard and be dedicated - if you put the work in you can get the rewards.""
Winter has had a number of injuries in the past and this is his first injury free pre-season. He has adjusted well to training at an AFL level even though at first he found a few things different. ""At Cannons we used to training two nights per week. Now we have two to three sessions on the same day and you have to back up - in that way it is different. There is plenty of time between sessions but it is harder. At the start it took me a while to adopt to it but now after doing it for a few months I am getting in a routine.""
Winter is studying accounting part-time on Tuesday and Thursday nights. ""It is good having a break from footy even though I don't overly enjoy Tuesday nights. There is a couple of subjects I am really enjoying and it is something a little different - away from football,"" Winter said. On a personal note - Winter hopes to have a consistent season and stay at Essendon next year.
