Two games. Three games. Five games. Thirteen games. It’s been a gradual climb for Darren Minchington, but it’s a climb that took a significant leap forward in 2016, particularly at the tail end of last season where the small forward played eight of the final 11 games.
After enduring an injury-ravaged start to his time at Linen House Centre, the 23-year-old finally got on top of his body last year and finally got the opportunity to prove himself at the highest level.
And now, on the back of the best season of his five-year career, the former rookie has been able to put the work in on the track this summer, shaving seconds off his best times around Seaford and banking session after session as he seeks to follow up his breakthrough campaign.
“I’ve done a lot this pre-season compared to previous years, so body wise it’s been a positive start,” Minchington told saints.com.au on Wednesday afternoon.
“I’ve improved in my 3km time-trial, I’ve run a couple of PB’s since November which is exciting, and I also ran a PB in the six-minute run test. So my main focus this pre-season has been to get fitter and I’m on the right track.
“It has been a little bit different (to previous years for me), it’s been a lot more game specific and really working on what we need to improve with our game offensively and defensively.”
Minchington admits his extended taste of senior football last year has fuelled his belief that he can play in the AFL. Now, he wants to satisfy his appetite with more in 2017.
“It’s definitely given me a lot confidence,” Minchington said. “I took a step last year and I’m looking forward to taking another big step this year and trying to play consistent football down in the forward line.”
The powerfully built Dandenong Stingrays product has spent the summer months training as a forward, where he played the majority of his senior football last year, but he still hopes to increase his time in the middle.
“I’ll still play in the forward line and as that small forward, but I’m looking to push into the midfield a lot more and have little hits in there to mix it up a bit to try and keep the opposition guessing. A big goal would be to get in the midfield a bit more,” he said.
