CHAD Wingard’s outward persona shouldn't be confused with arrogance.

Indeed, many stories about his perceived over confidence circulated upon his entry to the AFL but the Power star said those were based more on a lack of understanding than truth.

"I think I might have come across that way but I was actually really shy coming in," Wingard said.

"That comes off as arrogance because you're really shy to talk to people, you don't have confidence and it comes across the other way – you come across as if you're cocky and arrogant and that you're too good for this team.

"The team that we have now, it doesn't have any space or time for that kind of ego, it's a really good space to be in, everyone's got each other's back."

Regardless of how his personality was viewed early on, the 20-year-old has quickly established himself as one of the League's very best.

Last year, in his second season at AFL level, Wingard averaged 21 disposals a game and kicked 43 goals in 24 matches. It resulted in him gaining All Australian selection and his first best and fairest award.

In their respective second seasons, Chris Judd averaged 18 touches a game and Gary Ablett jnr 15 a game.

Geelong skipper Joel Selwood, who burst onto the scene with similar brilliance to Wingard, averaged 25 touches a game.

Of the four, Wingard was the only one recognised with All Australian selection and as his club's best within two years of entering the competition.

Playing a role deeper in attack this year, he's on track to easily eclipse his 43 goals in 2013 - not bad for a guy who hates watching footy.

So bored is he with the game as a spectacle, Wingard said that outside of his training requirements, he hadn't watched a single game this year.

Even growing up, he admitted he watched only "one or two" games of the sport he now starred in.

But although he'd rather forget about football in his down time, Wingard thrives on game day.

He said it was the creativity of the game that captured his imagination.

"I actually haven't watched a game of footy this year, dead set," he said.

"I love playing the game … some guys are diehard fans and some guys are like me, just a diehard player.

"There's so much freedom in the game – there is structure and there are plans that you have to do, but unlike basketball where there's set plays and you've got to be in an exact position, football is random and you can make it up as you go."