A noticeably stronger and fitter Tom Highmore says he would love to spend more time in the midfield having spent the majority of his NEAFL career across half back.
Highmore spent the majority of his break training in the gym looking to add more size to his 193cm frame.
“I have tried to spend a lot more time in the gym, and made some small changes in my diet to try and put on more size," Highmore said.
The 20-year-old hoped his gruelling training program had set him up to evolve into a part-time onballer in 2019, telling the club's website he wants to build on his limited midfield experience, so he could take his game to “another level” this year.
“It’s definitely something I want to add to my game,” he said.
“We’ve got a great midfield with the likes of Mitch Maguire, Mitch Hardie, Lucas Meline and Alex Smout, so If I can go in there and learn a little bit of craft off them each time it could definitely help add another string to my bow.”
Canberra Coach Kade Klemke believes Highmore's versatility will allow the former GWS product to become an elite midfielder in time.
“We saw how versatile he is when we swung him forward against the Gold Coast last year and he won us the game," Klemke said of Highmore.
“He has already shown that he can become an elite defender in this competition and by giving him opportunity in the midfield this season it just might make him the complete player and help him get to that next level."
“All we can ask is that he keeps improving and I think it’s his fifth year now and he’s come back in better shape again. That’s all we can ask of Tom."