AS the postponement of all seasons commenced over the last few weeks, we head back to the pre-season a few weeks earlier where we sat down with a number of athletes across the country. In a special Question and Answer (Q&A) feature, Draft Central‘s Michael Alvaro chatted with Eastern Ranges’ Connor Downie at the NAB League Fitness Testing Day hosted by Rookie Me.

MA: How’s the preseason testing day been for you?

CD: “Yeah it’s alright, it’s been good seeing the other boys from the other regions.”

You must have a bit of that being involved with the Vic Metro hub. How’s that been for your development?

“Yeah it’s really good. “I met a few new boys that I wouldn’t really have met if it wasn’t for that, so I’m really grateful for that experience.”

Which boys are you looking forward to playing alongside you’ve met in the hub?

“Definitely Josh Clarke is one of my good mates at Eastern so keen to play with him. Same with Tyler Sonsie and all those boys.”

You’re a part of Hawthorn NGA as well, how’s that been for you?

“It’s been really good. Nathan Foley who’s is a really good mentor for me down there. “He’s helped me out with a lot of tips about my game and goes through vision with me and stuff, so he’s been really good to me.”

It was a good results-based season for Eastern last year, how’s it been being able to crack that team and being a part of it? Do you feel more of a leader this year?

“Yeah definitely. “Last year I had a really good group of top agers to guide me through the year and help me get experience and this year I can take what I learnt from them. “From the leaders last year like ‘Rossy’ (James Ross) and stuff, to hopefully be a good leader this year for the boys.”

Do you have any goals this year?

“Obviously I want to hopefully help the boys get to the finals and hopefully win the grand final for Eastern. “But I want to have a good impact in Metro carnival and AFL Academy and hopefully the Draft Combine later in the year.”