According to the experienced forward the most important part of the season is preseason, where the club concentrates on strengthening the team, so they’re ready to get out there and compete.
‘’I guess the most important part of a season and the part of obviously winning games, is the preseason,’’ Podsiadly said.
‘’I think we are in really good shape, post preseason most of the guys have been on the track.
‘’A couple of guys, Dan Menzel, Josh Cowan, have had a few injury concerns but I’m sure they’ll be back with the group at the start of the season.
‘’Other than that I think we’re in pretty good shape.’’
Podsiadly’s message this year from senior coach, Chris Scott, is to simply be discipline in your application and to set your sites on playing consistent footy.
‘’I think he just preaches consistency really, and being discipline in your preparation and your training effort… so I think a discipline effort is probably all he asks for,’’ Podsiadly explained to Cats TV.
‘’I don’t think we’ve sat down yet and worked out specific goals…
‘’I don’t think we likely to do that either. I think it’s just about playing the team role and playing to our full potential. That’s what it’s about I suppose.’’
Podsiadly can see all the top four sides from last year taking on another good season, along with Carlton and West Coast. He feels those two teams have an impressive midfield, which he believes is a crucial element in today’s footy.
‘’I think Carlton will definitely improve… they’ve got a pretty good midfield and I think that’s pretty important in this day and age,’’ Podsiadly said.
‘’I think West Coast is another team that’s got a really good spine and a good midfield, and obviously the top four sides from last year will obviously be competitive.’’
The atmosphere that has been embedded into the club, according to Podsiadly, has been facilitated by a number of significant past players, and he believes this has had a huge influence on the way the boys played footy and continue to play.
‘’I think those guys you mentioned, Scarlo, Lingy Wojo, Otto, Moona, they had a big influence on what the culture is at the club when they were here,’’ Podsiadly told Cats TV.
‘’The culture that we have now, really stems from those guys, I think they really implemented it.
‘’I think their biggest legacy is the culture and that’s why we have continued to win games and I think that is why we will still win games in the future.’’
Podsiadly sees, Vardy, Varcoe and Menzel, who have all suffered from long-term injuries, as admirable football players who all have the ability and the will to play cutting edge football.
‘’I think all three of them bring the x-factor in their own individual ways.’’
‘’I mean a game can be won in a specific moment and those guys can produce those moments anytime.’’
Considering how young the team is this year, Podsiadly is really pleased to see the new recruits, especially Rivers and McIntosh, who are experienced players, which means they can help out the younger guys with their development on and off the track.
‘’Obviously Rivers and McIntosh are experienced AFL players so they know the ins and outs of a preseason, games and stuff, so they’ve just brought experience really,’’ Podsiadly explained.
‘’We are a relatively young group, so I think our younger players, even though they haven’t been here long, they can sort of look up to them.’’
And Podsiadly is really excited to see what young Caddy, from the Gold Coast Suns, can do in the blue and white hoops.
‘’Josh Caddy is really energetic, lots of enthusiasm and for a 20 year old and he’s got a pretty level head too,’’ Podsiadly said.
‘’I’m really looking forward to seeing his career in a Cat’s jumper.’’
With such a great list of young guys, Podsiadly finds it difficult to single any one player out, however he is really impressed with young Jackson Sheringham, who was elevated from the rookie list last year.
‘’I think after viewing in the preseason last year Jackson Sheringham, he’s the one I, (and) you don’t like to (exclude) and you’d like to say that all of them would have a huge influence on our season, but I think Jackson Sheringham is a smooth mover and really clean with his hands, I really like that.’’
During his time at the Cats, Podsiadly has played a significant role in the forward line, but this year he could find himself pulled to the back, which he says has set him a challenge that has only inspired him even more to improve.
‘’For me it’s just about learning how a key back player and the defensive structure works really,’’ Podsiadly said.
‘’I know I’ll be ready to play, if I get called upon to play backline, I’ll be ready.’’
Podsiadly knows that he has what it takes to fill the spot and he looks forward to the opportunity of playing down back.
‘’Yeah (I’m) definitely excited about it, this is my 13th year as playing senior football, so to have a new challenge to do a full preseason as a back man actually got me really motivated, and I’m excited to get the opportunity to play in the backline,’’ Podsiadly said.
