VERSATILE defender Miles Bergman is set to remain at Alberton for two more years, after penning a contract extension earlier this week.
Bergman has been actively sought after by Victorian clubs off the back of his career-best form so far this year, but the 21-year-old admits Port Adelaide has become home.
On Thursday, Bergman spoke to the media about re-signing with the Power, his favourite on-field position and how he is working to develop his game.
Bergman on the relief of signing an extension
“It's been (talked) about for a little bit and I didn’t really want to think about it too much, I just wanted to focus on footy and try and get a good season rolling. Now that we’re halfway through the season and I'm back fit and playing consistent footy, it’s good to get that all sorted, and I can focus back on the team.
“Year by year, (I’ve felt) more comfortable (at Port Adelaide). As a young kid, you're just trying to fit in really and footy's almost the last thing on your mind. You're just trying to fit in with the club and with the boys. Each year, the more I play footy, the more I get along with the boys, the easier it’s felt.”
Bergman on the lure of Victorian clubs
“I mean it's probably similar to a lot of players, everyone understands being from interstate that family and friends (are) a big deal but at the end of the day Port Adelaide's like home to me and I love the club so that's why I chose to stay. It's always nice to have interest (from other clubs). It makes you feel good about yourself and understand what you can bring to the table. It's good it's all sorted now (though) and we can just focus on our success.”
Bergman on the future of Port Adelaide
“I think we’ve got a lot of big plans for the future. We've got a pretty strong young team so (we’ll) focus on this year first and week by week, but I think our future's very bright.
“I’m really loving the way we’re going as a club and get along really well with the boys so I’m just excited to see what we can do and I’m ready for the next few years.”
Bergman on his friendship with Jason Horne-Francis
“(Our friendship strengthened after) a little bit of that media stuff at the start of the year, (where the media thought) we look alike so we grew a bit of a friendship. But we were pretty close already before that, that just made us even closer. We have the same sort of personalities and drives outside of footy and in footy.”
Bergman on his on-field role
“There's definitely a place I want to play but at the moment, I'm playing the role I am as a key defender because that's what we need and I’m happy to do that for the team. I’m happy to stick that out and I’m enjoying that as well. Probably the midfield (is where I’d like to end up) but we've got a really strong midfield so I’m happy wherever I need to play. As long as we're winning and keep going the way we're going, then I’m very happy.”
Bergman on playing on Jeremy Cameron
“It's pretty stressful (in the lead-up). I'm pretty undersized when it comes to most of my opponents. (It comes down to) just a lot of work throughout the week to calm myself down and not think about it too much but I just try to sort of play the way I’ve been playing all year on game day and let the rest (take care of itself).
“All the key backs have been really helpful for me. At training, just positioning me and talking to me off field and trying to help out with that.”
Bergman on his intercept marking
“I think that’s been pretty natural (for me). I think it's more the confidence of coaches and players to allow me to do that, to come out of my shell and back myself. I think I’ve always had that natural marking ability.”
Bergman on the post-bye loss trend
“I can definitely understand it. We try not to think about it too much and just focus on what we do well. When you've come off the bye you've had a bit of a longer break but we trained over the weekend just like we would play a game so it's like we haven't missed a week of footy. We just try and keep the routine going and keep going from there.”
