ADAPTABILITY is something Warrnambool forward Jed Turland has come to embrace over his first 99 games with the Blues.
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Since kicking four goals on debut against Camperdown in mid-2011, the now-23-year-old has played through a number of roles up forward, leading his side with 53 goals in the absence of Jason Rowan and Travis Graham for most of 2015.
With the pair back for full seasons last year, he took a step back from the key role, before adjusting again with a rejigged forward line this season.
“It was different (in 2016) because we had ‘Rowy’ and Trav back down there. We went mainly through them and I just played a smaller role,” Turland said.
“I’ve been mainly trying to play deep down forward (this season), but we’ve run into a couple of good opponents and we’ve been pretty dry.
“I think we only had six marks (inside 50) last week against Port Fairy; we’re hoping to get a bit more ball into the forward 50.
“It’s just a bit of teething (problems) as well. Me and ‘Moo’ (Sam Cowling) have been there for a while, but there’s a few new guys like Will Jacobs – he’s never really played forward. He’s sort of learning his angles and things like that.”
The two-time premiership player, who will run out for his 100th senior appearance when Warrnambool takes on Portland on Saturday, said he was proud to reach the milestone for the club he’s played at his entire career.
“It’s good to get your name up there on the board alongside the greats of the club, as well as a lot of blokes that you’ve won premierships with,” he said.
“I’m part of a big family, (so it’s good when) you play with your cousins and brothers.”
Turland’s brothers Jye and Beau will also play on Saturday, while his youngest brother Noah is an under 16 player.
Fellow forward Will Jacobs, who has made the switch from defence to attack this year, said better use of the ball going forward will be key to Warrnambool’s hopes of breaking through for its first win this season when it takes on the Tigers.
Jacobs, who was named in the initial Hampden interleague squad this week, said there were positives his side could take out of a tough opening first two rounds against the highly-touted South Warrnambool and Port Fairy sides.
“I reckon we’ve done some really good things in those games, (but) we probably haven’t strung four quarters together yet,” he said.
“Our kicking has definitely let us down, so that’s been the focus for us coming into Portland this week.
“Our backs have been holding up really well, which has been positive for us. Our midfielders are winning the footy. Now we just need to use the ball and get it down to us (in the forward line).”