Sutcliffe on his pre-season training to date:
“It’s been pretty good so far. I’ve been lucky enough to train every session.
“That holds you in good stead, as you probably know, if you put in a good pre-season generally you have a pretty good year.
“I’m pretty optimistic that hopefully I can have a pretty good year.
“I’ve been training in a different position this year, which is forward, and I played a little bit of that towards the end of last year and in SANFL finals.
“I really enjoyed that and hoping to improve from there.
Sutcliffe on the leadership role he plays:
“I guess I saw that role a fair bit with Jack Trengove.
“Just the positivity that he could have around the group, and I want to do that as well.
“I love playing at SANFL level and I love playing at AFL level, so it doesn’t sit with me too badly if I’m playing either.
“If I can help those young guys who are coming through grow and play with them, then that’s my goal this year.
Sutcliffe on the excitement heading into the season:
“I’m just taking every training session as it is.
“I’m pretty excited for the year ahead. My body has probably felt the best that it has up to this point in my nine years.
“If I can play well in the Marsh Cup and play well at the start of the year, then anything can happen from there.
Sutcliffe on fitness being one of his strengths:
“Fitness was a big thing for me when I first started my career, but it sort of fell away a little bit.
“It’s not like I didn’t put in the effort, but it felt like it just stagnated a little bit. Injuries probably held me back at times too.
“After the camp and having a good off-season over Christmas - putting a few good sessions together there.
“I came back and ran a pb (personal best) and thought I’m in the best position I have put myself in, in the last nine years.
Sutcliffe on Ollie Wines’ injury:
“You’re flat for him because he’s put in so much hard work up to this point.
“At the end of last year, he started playing some really good footy again.
“It’s a pretty unfortunate incident, but it happens in footy.
“He’s going to be fine, and he will come back and play the best footy he can.
Sutcliffe on the health of the club’s list:
“I think we have 43 guys on the track at the moment which is unheard of.
“We’ve been able to do good match simulation drills and practice if it’s a game, so it should hold us in good stead going forward.
