JED Bews hopes the high volume of running he did prior to Christmas while recovering from post-season shoulder surgery will hold him in good stead for 2019.
The Geelong defender underwent a Latarjet procedure on his left shoulder and was restricted to running laps for much of November and December before return to full training in the New Year.
“I don’t know the exact numbers, but they (strength and conditioning staff) were telling me I’m well ahead of the numbers I was putting out this time last year,” Bews, who will be available for the opening JLT Series match against West Coast on March 1, said.
“I guess it is a silver lining; you get to avoid a bit of that contact early in the pre-season and get some kms in the legs.”
Bews has become a permanent fixture in Geelong’s defence since winning his spot back early in the 2017 season, playing 40 of a possible 43 games, including a career-high 21 matches last year.
However, the 25-year-old knows his spot in the Cats’ back six is never guaranteed, especially with the addition of Jordan Clark in last year’s draft and Irishman Stefan Okunbor during the off-season.
“I heard ‘Scarlo’ (defensive coach Matthew Scarlett) talking the other day, and he said it’s going to be hard to fit the ten he would love to get in there, and there’s six or seven he get in there,” Bews said.
“It’s a good problem to have for ‘Scarlo’, I guess, and it will push us.
“I’ve never felt cemented or secure or anything like that, and I think it’s a good way to be.
“You play like your spot depends on it because it probably does in the end.
“There’s a lot of young guys coming through, but it’s up to the older guys to hold their spots.”
Bews has joined the chorus of players, coaches and officials in voicing their disappointment at last year’s elimination final exit against Melbourne.
“From that game, we were pretty dirty,” he said. “But, you’ve got to start with a clean slate again.
“Bringing in ‘Dahla’ (Luke Dahlhaus) and Gary Rohan, we needed a bit more forward pressure and contested players.
“They’ve gone really well so far.
“We’ll see how we go when we get to the games, but so far, so good.”
Twitter: @tom_king79
