It was around two years ago when I really started to get into photography.

A mate of mine who I surfed with, he was always taking photos. I asked if I could give it a try and I enjoy the challenge of learning a new skill – turns out I’m not too bad at it either.

He eventually got tired of me borrowing his camera, so I decided to buy my own. I made sure it was one of the first things I packed when we were told we were moving up to Queensland.

Most days when I’ve got some spare time, I’ll be mucking around with it and taking some snaps on the tennis court or down by the beach.

With my fiancée Sam up here now, Jonesy and Butts are going to have to find someone else to snap their surfing pics for the next little while!

I love the process of it, just sitting back and observing or catching someone off-guard in a moment. It’s therapeutic, I guess.

It’s so important to have stuff like that to take your mind off footy, especially up here where you’re surrounded by your teammates and coaches 24/7.

Sometimes just getting your mind off the game and away from footy is what helps you perform on the field – we all need balance, especially in footy.

The Noosa Saint?

This year has been a whirlwind, but I know how lucky we are – there are plenty of people doing it tough at the moment and out of work.

We’re so fortunate be able to continue playing, but Noosa’s definitely not where I thought I’d be spending the season when I decided to leave Fremantle with my partner, Sam.

We made the decision that Melbourne was where we wanted to settle long-term in the middle of 2019. Sam’s from Melbourne originally and she wanted to be close to her family. It was the same reason I’d moved back to WA four years ago – so now, it’s her turn.

Sam and I got engaged back in February during a weekend away to Sorrento. We had just settled into our new place, I was about to kick off my first season with the Saints and the timing felt right.

The whole move felt right to be honest. Coming into a new club can be tricky but it helps when you have familiar faces around.

I obviously know Ratts from the Hawthorn days and I’ve known Rathy (David Rath) even longer. Having the support and backing of these guys, as well as Roughy, has been unreal. Ratts is so easy to talk to as a Senior Coach – not all of them are like that.

That’s why I respect him so much. He’s got a good relationship with all the boys. But not only that, he’s just always himself. Always authentic.

I guess we have that in common.

‘I’ve always been how I am’

I’ve always been outgoing and I love having fun. I try not to be too serious and just enjoy footy.

That’s what I’m trying to show the younger boys, to just enjoy the game and have fun along the way with all the opportunities or curveballs it throws at you.

I’m probably not your typical leader in that way, but I think authenticity is important. I've always been how I am now – I’m not going to change whether I’m in the leadership group or not.

I’m always going to be myself and be outgoing and probably one of the loudest people in the room, probably to some of the boys' annoyance! But I’m not going to go into my shell just because I’m at a footy club.     

I like to build a good connection with all my teammates and always try to be positive around them, no matter the result. It can be so easy to fall into a negative headspace and doubt yourself when you’re coming up the ranks, and footy is such a high-pressure environment.

I’ve taken Ben Long under my wing (and my roof) this year and I fully take credit for what he’s be able to do on the field. And I remind him of it all the time.

But in all seriousness, blokes like Longy, Hunter Clark, Ben Paton and all those sorts of boys, they’re coming through and are going to play a lot of footy for this club.  It’s been great playing alongside them and watching them grow their game this year.

There’s no doubt they’ve all got the skills, but the right mindset is just as important. And if I can be a positive and supportive influence for them, then I’m playing my role as a leader.

Mind over matter

Generally, I think everyone’s in a positive mindset. But it could have gone the other way leaving Melbourne and having a new home up in Noosa.

Ratts kept reminding us all of how lucky we are to be up here and the opportunity we’ve got in front of us as a young group – to grow and to connect.

And you know, anything’s possible this year. If we keep playing the way we’re playing, we’re going to give ourselves a great opportunity this season and into the future. We want to play finals...that’s why we’re all here.

Right now, we’re just taking it week by week, but I think that we’ve put the right foot forward this year. Who knows how far we could go.