{"id":181592,"date":"2025-03-05T11:35:50","date_gmt":"2025-03-05T01:35:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=181592"},"modified":"2025-03-05T11:35:52","modified_gmt":"2025-03-05T01:35:52","slug":"preseason-qa-joshua-reichelt-central-district","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2025\/03\/05\/preseason-qa-joshua-reichelt-central-district\/","title":{"rendered":"Preseason Q&A: Joshua Reichelt (Central District)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

FRESH off a SANFL Under 18s Grand Final berth in 2024, Central District is primed for another title tilt as its talented junior crop continues to mature. Running defender Joshua Reichelt<\/a> is among that group, entering his top-age campaign with eyes on breaking through for a state Under 18 debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We spoke to Reichelt during Sunday’s SANFL Under 18s preseason testing event.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

>> TOP 10s:<\/strong> SANFL Under 18 preseason testing<\/a>
>> MORE Q&As:<\/strong> Harley Barker<\/a> | Matthew LeRay<\/a> | Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier<\/a> | Jevan Phillipou<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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PRESEASON Q&A:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Q: Joshua, can you talk me through your earliest footballing memories?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

JR: <\/strong>I’ve been playing footy all my life. The youngest I can remember is Auskick at Angaston, I’m from the Barossa. I played all my juniors through at Nuriootpa, and then ended up down at Centrals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Did you play any other sports growing up?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

JR: <\/strong>I played just about everything; soccer, basketball, tennis, cricket. Whatever you can think of I probably did it\u2026 I was a high-level basketballer as well, down at Adelaide division basketball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What has it been like being part of the state squad and getting to play in last year\u2019s Futures match?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

JR: <\/strong>They\u2019ve had a big influence. Playing at MCG lets me know how much closer it’s getting and what the big stage is like\u2026 [I\u2019ve learned] to just keep grounded and keep working at it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: How has your preseason been so far?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

JR: <\/strong>It’s been pretty good. I’ve had a couple of injuries with my hip flexors and stuff. But I\u2019m working through that and got the same 2km time which is good. I\u2019m definitely becoming more of a leader and getting the most out of myself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: How would you describe yourself as a player?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

JR: <\/strong>A running half-back. Handball receives, hitting that inside kick, dangerous kick, taking the game on a little bit. That’s what I do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Building on that, what are the core strengths of your game?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

JR: <\/strong>My kicking, my run-and-carry, and then my decision making. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What are the things you\u2019re still looking to improve on?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

JR: <\/strong>My contested game. I’ve been training with the mids most of preseason so that’s definitely developing, which is good. And then probably just the one-on-one defending behind the ball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Do you watch a lot of footy?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

JR: <\/strong>Yeah, all the time… I support the Crows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Are there any players you try to mould your game on?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

JR: <\/strong>There’s a couple. Jack Sinclair<\/strong> from the Saints, his run-and-carry and hitting that dangerous inside kick. Just players like that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Have you set up any goals for the year?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

JR: <\/strong>I definitely want to start off the year playing well and then play some state games. I was a bottom-ager last year in the state program and didn’t get to play any games, so hopefully I\u2019ll do that and build off it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Are there any state or club teammates you\u2019re backing to have a big year?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

JR: <\/strong>I reckon Sam Cumming<\/a> and Blake [Oudshoorn-Bennier]<\/a>. They\u2019ve had probably one of the better preseasons among the boys in the academy. Definitely watch out for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>> AFL Draft: <\/strong>SANFL prospects pick their breakout contenders<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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