Starting his 2023 season in hot form, Miles Bergman has well and truly cemented himself into Port Adelaide’s best 22.

The 21-year-old has floated between half-back and the midfield this year, with his intercept marking becoming a prominent feature of his game.

Bergman spoke with the media on Thursday and discussed his own game, his future at the club and his support of teammates Jason Horne-Francis and Junior Rioli.

Bergman on his own form
“I’m feeling pretty confident. It's good to be back out on the track playing some good footy. I know I've had my struggles in the last few years with injuries and sickness so it's nice to be playing consistent footy for once.

“(My) extra weight also helps, you feel more comfortable against bigger bodies. I've been playing a bit more of a key role the last few weeks so I’m more comfortable being able to use my body in those situations.”

Bergman on his preferred on-field position
“I'd probably say I'm more comfortable on the wing because that's where I trained all pre-season and most of last year where I was playing, so that's what I was set for. Then we had a few injuries and I had to go back, which is fine because I've also played a bit there in my time and the coaches have given me confidence to play that role. Each week I've felt more comfortable in that spot as well.”

Bergman on his future at the club
“I’m just really enjoying my footy at the moment. The club's been great and I'm loving the boys. We're playing some good footy so I'm just looking forward keeping playing consistent footy and focusing on (contract talks) further down the (track).

“Like most people moving interstate, homesickness is a big thing for everyone. My first few years I was really struggling but every year I've felt more comfortable and more confident in myself and get along with the boys better and I’m really close with the coaches so I'm really enjoying my time at the moment.

“Everyone just seems so welcoming (here), like a real big community. (We’re) really close and the sort of stuff we do outside of the club and off the field keeps us connected.”

Bergman on Horne-Francis taking on his old club this weekend
“We'll stand behind him like we always do, he's actually pretty close with a few boys at the (Kangaroos still) so he's probably excited to play (against) them. He hasn't really spoken about it too much, we've been focusing on (games) week by week and he's been playing some really good footy so he's just excited to keep playing.

“I don’t think it's right to (boo) anyone, let alone a 19-year-old kid. He's just trying to play footy and enjoy his life because at the end of the day, he was really homesick and didn’t enjoy Melbourne and just wanted to be with his family, so he came home and we all respect that decision. We just want to look after him and make sure his mental health’s alright because that’s the biggest thing at the end of the day.”

Bergman on people confusing him with Horne-Francis
“I've copped a few (boos) the last few weeks and I was a bit confused at first and then I started to pick up on it. (The similarities) are pretty funny, we have a laugh about it. We didn’t really think anything of it until it all started and now, we tend to hang around each other a lot. We didn’t notice until we saw photos on the internet where we're always together, so it makes it a bit harder for everyone (to tell us apart) as well.”

Bergman on Junior Rioli
“It is disappointing, both sides of that (the racial vilification and the suspension) so we've been looking after him and standing behind him. Racial abuse is terrible and we want to get rid of that. Then with the ban, he is such a soft character outside of footy, so it would be pretty hard on him and he will be missed and we'll look after him but we've got plenty of good small forwards to take his place.”