JACOB Brooks' football apprenticeship is complete.
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The 18-year-old, who played as substitute in Old Collegians' losing grand finals of 2017 and 2018, has this season been unleashed as a midfielder-forward under new coach Nick Sheehan.
Brooks, who expected to fill a rotating midfielder role in Sunday's elimination final against Panmure, said a pre-season chat with Sheehan set the tone for his consistent season.
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"At the start of the year Nick (Sheehan) said I was probably in his best 22," Brooks said.
"After that it was just about finding where I was going to play.
"I started off in the back line and then moved into the midfield. I want to play as a midfielder so it's been great."
At the start of the year (coach Nick Sheehan) said I was probably in his best 22.
- Jacob Brooks
Brooks said his teammates were determined to push deep into finals after falling short at the last hurdle in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Collegians are striving to snap a 27-year premiership drought.
"We're very confident and there's a good feeling around training," Brooks said.
"There was a couple of weeks through the middle of the season we weren't playing as well as we'd like.
"We've changed a few things and we're getting closer to (how we want to play)."
He said a slow introduction to senior football held him in strong stead.
"It's been good to get some (full) games this year because as the sub you're spending probably three quarters on the bench," Brooks said.
"I'm enjoying my footy this year."
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