In the lead-up to the 2021 season, Dons Digital is checking in with some of the Bombers' promising youngsters as they strive to make their mark in 2021.

Next up is second-year prospect Ned Cahill, who takes us through his change of role, his relationship with teammate Andrew McGrath, and what he's setting out to achieve this season.

Ned, what’s been the biggest difference between your second pre-season as an AFL player versus your first?

“Definitely the amount of the time that you train. Your first pre-season, you’re very in and out, you don’t get to stay on the field as long. Just getting to train more consistently and more often (is great) because you always feel better when you’re out on the track.” 

What’s been the biggest challenge during this pre-season? 

“The change in my position. I’ve gone from a forward to a backman now. I’m actually looking forward to the challenge. I’ve had a lot of good conversations with the coaches in ‘Truck’ (Ben Rutten) and ‘Gia’ (Daniel Giansiracusa), just about the game style and the way of a backman and it’s pretty exciting 'cause I’ve never played it before and it’s something different.” 

Now that you’re training with the backs, what’s the one thing you’ve had to really grasp in learning the craft of the role? 

“Just defending. You do a fair bit of defending as a small forward in trying to apply pressure, but now it’s about getting to know the different running patterns. I’ve got to have a completely different mindset as a backman. I’ve got a lot of good boys down there (to learn from) in ‘Chook’ (Cale Hooker), Jordan Ridley, Mason Redman, Aaron Francis and Marty Gleeson. They’re all helping me out heaps.”

What triggered your switch from a forward to a defender? 

“I think it was more (to do with) a few of the smaller backs leaving (over the off-season), especially the ones running off half-back. It was just something that came up when I had a conversation with Truck and he thought I’d be the right man for it. I’m just giving it a red-hot crack right now and hopefully it helps develop my game and I can cement a spot in the backline.”

What attributes do you bring as a half-back?

“The two main ones would be my work-rate and my skills, like my kicking. I worked pretty hard over the off-season on my running and getting my body in pretty good nick and to a fitness level that I can utilise on the field. I worked pretty closely with Sean Murphy (head of high performance) on that and set out some goals last year and came back and hit those targets. With my skills, my kicking is pretty good, and you get more opportunity to kick off half-back than as a small forward.”

How much has having a taste of senior football last year helped drive you to play more AFL games in 2021? 

“Definitely the appreciation for it. Being able to play those three games and then suffering a quad injury, I was just so eager to get back out there. The want to be out there is a lot higher and you obviously want to play your first game, but after that, you just want to play more.” 

What are some of the learnings you took from last season when you made your debut and played three games?  

“Knowing the pace of the game and knowing what it takes. You can picture what it might be like and do as much game simulation as you want, but it’s nothing like a real game. So being able to experience that a few times in my first year and going into my second year, it’s in the back of my mind that I know what I have to do to play some good footy.”

What’s an attribute you’ve personally noticed which has drastically improved over this pre-season? 

“Definitely my running. My running was OK, and I always thought I was a pretty good runner, but I was able to work hard (at improving it) over the off-season. It’s been going really well because I feel I can run out trainings a lot easier and I think I got a 16 or 17-second personal best in my 2km (time trial), so I was pretty happy with that as well.”

Is there anyone in particular who’s taken you under their wing this pre-season to help you improve?

“Definitely Andrew McGrath. I moved in with Andy about a year ago and ever since then, he’s been a massive role model on and off the field in helping me with the little goals I’ve been setting. Whether that be my diet, mindset, things outside of footy and things happening in my life, if I have any problems, I can just talk to him. It’s good because with our relationship, we can be pretty honest as well, so it’s always good to have honest feedback because it’s what helps you improve.” 

You’ve mentioned you live with Andy. What’s it like to share a house with him?  

“I was very lucky to move in with Andy. Being able to live with him, our relationship has gotten a lot stronger. I’ve been able to connect with a lot of the older boys, because he introduced me to his friendship group when I first got to the club, and I feel very comfortable being myself at the club. He’s a great leader on and off the field, but he also knows how to chill as well so we can muck around a fair bit and have a bit of fun, so it’s pretty much like I’m at home which is nice. A funny trait he has is we could be watching TV and out of the blue, he falls asleep. So sometimes I can be talking to him and he can just be asleep and I’m like "Oh wow”. But in saying that, he’s pretty close to being perfect, so he’s a legend.”

If we were chatting in 10 months' time, what are some of the goals you’d like to have reached and accomplished in 2021? 

“Definitely being able to cement a spot in the side would be awesome. Any achievements along the way, whether it’d be little things like a Rising Star nomination would be cool, but I think being able to change position itself and play some games in that position would be massive and reflect the hard work I’ve put in. But like I said, (I want to) cement a spot in the side, and in 10 months' time if we’re in the finals and I’m in the finals team and playing with the boys, then that would be awesome."