Nathan van Berlo has been going to football school for 20 AFL games and still can’t get enough of his famous teachers.

Chris Judd, Brad Johnson and other opposition stars – as well as van Berlo’s Adelaide team-mates – are providing first-class on-the-job training for the former West Australian who arrived at West Lakes late in 2004.

Although van Berlo has spent large chunks of games watching from the bench, he is patient and understands the benefits of a steady introduction to the midfield group.

“I’ve been reasonably pleased with my season so far,” he said. “I’ve been lucky enough to have been given roles in the side, relieving Rob Shirley in the middle and also on the wings and down at half back. I’m really enjoying the roles I have got at the moment and am looking forward to the rest of the season.”

Keeping a close eye on some of the AFL’s best players has given van Berlo a greater appreciation of the work required to be a leading midfielder.

“Yeah, it’s really exciting to be able to play on the better players of the opposition and to play alongside them and learn about how they go about getting the footy,” he said. “Hopefully that will hold me in good stead for the future when it becomes my turn hopefully to play of a key role in the midfield.

“It’s the way they go about, first of all, finding the football, and also their on-field leadership and the way they go about getting their team up and leading by example. And also I pick up a few things along the way like their body work at stoppages and that sort of thing … it’s really interesting.”

And the toughest so far?

“So far I would have to say Chris Judd because he is allround – he doesn’t play inside or outside – it can be a combination of both. If you are off your game for a slight second he will rip you apart.”

van Berlo said the other important lesson from his time with Adelaide had been “realising that everyone in the team is important”.

And the off-field requirements are also becoming second nature.

“I guess it’s a bit of a shock when younger players enter the system and realise how much time is taken up with your meetings and planning and feedback and so forth,” van Berlo said. “But it’s my job now – it’s everyone’s job – it’s part of what comes with it.”

Adelaide trained on Tuesday night at AAMI Stadium. Captain Mark Ricciuto, Brett Burton (hamstring tightness) and Matthew Clarke (Achilles) did not train while Tyson Edwards, who missed the Carlton game with a sore ankle, trained lightly. Clarke is the only one of this group considered doubtful for Friday night’s clash with Essendon.