THIS PRE-SEASON has been the toughest new South Rovers midfielder Aaron Seabrook has ever experienced.
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But the former Hawkesdale-Macarthur player is eager to put all the hard work he has put into his new club in a different competition this Warrnambool and District League season.
The 22-year-old said the off-season work was the biggest challenge he faced coming into the Lions' den.
"I've never really done a full pre-season and when we have it hasn't been as tough as it has been," he said.
"Adjusting to that has been the biggest thing for me fitness wise. I think we are doing normal stuff to what we did at the start of the year and it's getting easier, which is a positive sign."
Seabrook, who owns his own fencing business, said the decision behind his switch from the Mininera and District Football League was based on challenging himself in a new environment.
"I've been at Hawkesdale-Macarthur for the past five-six years playing seniors and finishing under 16s and I was told a few times to try something different," he said.
"I also have my partner's brother (Jaxen Dalton) is playing there so going to have a kick with him."
The gritty midfielder said there was a drive within the group to improve on a break-out 2018 season, where the senior side finished fifth after losing to Timboon Demons in the elimination final.
"Talking to the group they are pretty keen to move higher into the finals," he said.
But Seabrook was also eager to add more feathers to his bow and step up his game as well in 2019.
"I want to pick up a few more skills and tidy up the ones I already have," he said.
The Warrnambool resident is one of four new faces who will pull on the Lions' jumper this season with former South Warrnambool trio Matthew Farmer, Eamon Dowd, Ben Fary and Koroit's Luke Ryan jumping across from the Hampden league.
Seabrook said he would like to take on more of a leadership role in the middle of the ground under third-year Lions coach Adam Matheson.
South Rovers' season kicks off against Dennington at Walter Oval on April 6.
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