Known for his elite running and super tank, utility Adam Tomlinson is looking to cement a spot as a permanent forward as he enters his fifth year in the AFL.
New NEAFL coach and former Melbourne and Richmond forward Brad Miller has been working with the 22-year-old on his contested marking over the pre-season as Tomlinson looks to improve on a frustrating 2015.
A serious toe injury in round two limited Tomlinson to just eight games last year after playing 45 across the previous three seasons.
The 193cm and 95kg pure athlete is renowned for his running ability with his versatility making him a valuable player across the wing, at either end of the ground and even through the midfield.
However, it’s also left him without a set position going into his fifth season.
After strong performances across the first two NAB Challenge matches playing predominately as a forward, it looks like 2016 could be Tomlinson’s year.
In the first match against the Western Bulldogs, Tomlinson played a key role up forward, taking six marks (two contested) and kicking a goal.
Last week against the Swans, Tomlinson again popped up to kick two goals and taking five marks (two contested) while also supporting Rory Lobb in the ruck after an injury to Shane Mumford.
“It’s been good to get on the park and take a few contested marks,” Tomlinson told GIANTS TV.
“I’ve been working with ‘Millsy’ on taking some good grabs and it’s working well.”
Miller joined the club as a coach at the beginning of the 2016 season after playing 133 games for Melbourne between 2002 and 2010 and a further 24 games at Richmond in the 2011-12 seasons.
Miller was Melbourne’s leading goal kicker in 2008 but spent time as both a forward and a defender over his long career.
He has been working with the forwards particularly on a regular basis during this pre-season with a focus on contested marking and body-work.
“Brad and I have done a lot of one-on-one-stuff in the contested marking role on game day and obviously that’s worked the last couple of weeks,” Tomlinson said.
“If I can keep producing that every week it’ll be pretty good.”
With a healthy list, there is huge competition for spots at the club with a whole host of players in line for a round one berth when the GIANTS take on Melbourne at the MCG on March 26.
Tomlinson is hoping his form so far will pencil his name next to the likes of Jeremy Cameron, Devon Smith, Rhys Palmer and new recruit Steve Johnson for that match.
“Hopefully I’ll be staying in the forward line all year but I’ll obviously play wherever I’m needed,” he said.
“With the cap on rotations, everybody’s got to have a secondary position to help the boys out but I’ll play hopefully in the forward line most of the year.
“It’s pretty tough at the moment, there’s a lot of boys vying for a few spots. There’s a few nervous boys at the moment but it’s a pretty good thing for a football club.
The GIANTS take on the Brisbane Lions at Metricon Stadium on Sunday in their final NAB Challenge match before round one.
The squad will be named at 12pm on Thursday on gwsgiants.com.au.
