Lightly-built defender Sean Lemmens may have enjoyed a stellar debut season at the Gold Coast SUNS, but the Port Adelaide Magpies product won’t be resting on his laurels heading into 2015.
After playing 18 games in 2014, Lemmens has already closed the chapter on his first year and has his eyes firmly fixed on ensuring he continues to blossom in his second season in the AFL.
The 20-year-old is aiming to add some weight to his frame during his second pre-season at Metricon Stadium and revealed he wants to improve his communication skills, as well as his conditioning.
“It’s a bit of everything, getting a bit bigger, a lot fitter and just knowing the game plans a bit better and using my voice at training and communication a bit more,” Lemmens told SUNS TV.
“I’m happy with 2014, but I’m not going to think about that too much because I’ve got another year this year. The coaches gave me a few things I needed to work on early on when I first got to the club and I tried my hardest to work at that.
“My two mentors, Steven May and Jarrod Harbrow, have been awesome with helping me reach those goals, I suppose.”
SUNS defensive coach Dean Solomon has been an admirer of Lemmens’ game since watching the classy half-back play for South Australia in the 2013 national championships.
The former Essendon and Fremantle star had a profound impact on Lemmens’ first season in the AFL, instilling confidence in the youngster and pushing him to continually improve.
“Dean Solomon’s been great; he’s such a hard coach and always pushes me to my limits and always expects high expectations of myself,” Lemmens said.
“He’s thrown a lot of faith and confidence in myself, I’m happy for that, but he does push me really hard still and expects a lot from me.”
Lemmens revealed off-season signing Nick Malceski has already had an impact on his teammates, with the two-time premiership Swan’s leadership ability shining through in just his second week at the SUNS.
“He’s been great so far Nick; his leadership already has been awesome. The way he goes about his stuff off the field when he’s not training is something I’d like to strive for.”
