The club took multiple steps forward on and off the field. I think we have a group that is really exciting. If we can keep building and come back with the knowledge gained this year, we can do even better in 2016. We’re heading in the right direction and it was a terrific year.

I knew we were going to improve. It probably did shock me how much we did improve. It doesn’t surprise me because we have great people in important positions. Everyone is pulling in the same direction. We know that if we play a certain way, we will win games of footy.

All the draftees impressed me. From Paddy McCartin to Jack Sinclair, they all fitted in really well and it’s a credit to our recruiting and coaching staff. Jack Lonie and Jack Sinclair played their roles really well. It was a reflection of the club and the leadership group that allowed these kids to come in and just play footy with confidence.

Hugh Goddard did some really nice things in the latter part of the year. His toughness and competitiveness will be his strengths for the next 10-15 years.

We died out in a couple of games towards the end of the year. It was probably just a fatigue thing, but that was still disappointing. We’re well aware of that and understand where we are coming from. On the whole I think we’ve had a really good year of development and learning, but have plenty of room still left to grow.

I am really happy with my year. I started playing a new role forward of centre. I have taken some strides this year and feel I can take it to another level in 2016.

We have to keep progressing next year. We have eight weeks off but we are still AFL players. There will be a lot of work to be done when we get back. The boys are well aware of that and we’re excited for the future. We’ll come back with an attitude to climb the club up the ladder.

Being part of the leadership group has been a real eye-opener for me. I know that we have a terrific leadership group, obviously headed up by Nick Riewoldt, Leigh Montagna and Sean Dempster. We’ve put some pillars in place that we can really demand a lot of the other players. Armo, Jack Steven and Joey had great years. Dave and Jack are really leading from the front and have taken a lot of pressure off others. They don’t look like slowing down either.

I’m going away for a month and going travelling to Cambodia, Vietnam, Singapore and Bali. I’m taking my girlfriend away and meeting up with my little brother Lachie and his girlfriend. That will be nice to spend some time with him because it’s been a big few months for him over at Fremantle. 

The Weller brothers embrace after they played against each other for the first time, in round 19.