Adelaide midfielder Sam Berry is preparing to enter his third AFL campaign with the Crows and says he is becoming more confident and comfortable at the level.
Berry, who made his debut in Round One 2021, finished last season as the League’s best tackler with a total of 173 and was ranked ‘elite’ for average tackles, laying 9.5 per game.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday - 16 days before the Crows’ first pre-season hit-out - the on-baller said he was starting to feel like he belonged at AFL level.
“The body is feeling good and it’s getting pretty exciting now,” Berry said.
“I’ve just noticed my body adjusting a lot more to the standard of an AFL pre-season.
“It’s probably more a confidence thing, now. I feel I’m stronger, so I guess in those contested situations it’s a good thing to have in the back of your head.
“Slowly my confidence started to grow throughout the year (last season) and hopefully I can take that into this season.”
Berry, who began his career with the Crows as a small forward before switching to a permanent midfielder, said there was still plenty he wanted to improve on.
“I love the contest. It’s a really competitive space when the ball is in the middle and you have to make a decision - instincts kind of take over,” Berry said.
“There’s a lot of other areas I want to work on… I think getting the ball a bit more to start.
“And just backing myself, I probably did that a bit more towards the end of last year, so I think (it’s about) doing that consistently.
“It took me a little bit to get used to the game at this level, but I think I’m slowly getting there.”
Berry was also impressed with how his teammates had returned to pre-season from the Christmas break, with all eager for the campaign to kick off.
“I think it’s pretty noticeable how much stronger everyone is,” Berry said.
“I think we’ve come a long way with the game plan compared to where we were last year - everyone’s size, the skills as well - I think we are in a really good position compared to where we were.”
Adelaide will play an intraclub match on February 17, before travelling to WA for practice matches against Fremantle and West Coast.
The Crows will then kick off their 2023 season with a clash against GWS on March 19.
