This week was a pretty good one for me - when I got called into Dean Moore’s office and was told that I had won the round two Rising Star nomination, I was really surprised. I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was pretty focused on improving my game after our win against Adelaide, but to find out I had been nominated was fantastic, it’s a big honour.

I didn’t speak to anyone straight after I got the news - I had to go to training during the day, and so by the time I spoke to my Dad that night, he had already found out.

I think this week will be another big test for us as a team. I reviewed the game after last weekend and there’s a few areas that I have to get right. I’ve got to give more direction with my on-field talk, and listen to instruction - not just go out there and in the heat of battle and react.

Speaking of talking, you might’ve read Teddy Richards’ column this week. He mentioned to me that I should have a read of his ‘report’ on our website, and when I read it I was a bit surprised to see that he’d written a few of those things, but it was pretty funny - me and my mates and a few of my family friends had a bit of a laugh about it.

Ted’s right - ‘Chit Chat’ is one of my many nicknames at the Club. I guess I was aware of the fact that I was pretty vocal on the field - I didn’t do it deliberately or anything, I guess it kind of came naturally. I’m from a pretty big family, Mum’s one of 12 and Dad’s one of five, so we had pretty big Christmases and the like, and you really had to shout to be heard. Maybe that’s where I get it from. It’s always been a part of me. I think you’ve got to make sure that you help your teammates out by being pretty vocal on field. It helps give them a bit of direction and support.

I’m a lot more confident this pre-season being up here full time and not to-ing and fro-ing from Melbourne anymore. Being around the Club a lot more, training all the time, being around the boys, I feel more comfortable. I’m just trying to make sure I work hard and make the most of my spot in the team.

We’re a pretty close group, I’m pretty good mates with some of the younger guys - Kieren Jack (I have to say that because he’s listening), Rhyce Shaw, Dan Currie, Gary Rohan, Campbell Heath, Jarred Moore and Brett Meredith. Those sort of guys, basically the younger crew, we catch up a fair bit. It’s a good mix. Before and after training and games we give each other a bit of advice and try to help each other out, but generally during the week we try to switch off from footy for a bit and muck around. It’s really good.