“I DON’T want to see it as me counting my games. I want to make my games count.”

That is the mindset of Sam Petrevski-Seton.

Despite 42 games under his belt in just two seasons, he’s under no illusions. He wants to make a bigger impact every time he puts on that navy blue jumper.

As he approaches his third year in the AFL, Petrevski-Seton knows what he needs to do to take his game to another level.

Despite playing every game in 2018 (one of only two Blues to do so), he isn’t satisfied. And the 20-year-old set bigger expectations for himself for the year ahead the moment pre-season began.

And while he’s pleased with where he’s placed at this stage of the summer, he understands there’s a long way to go.

“It’s the most I’ve done in a pre-season, so I’m pretty happy with how I’m tracking at the moment. I’m trying to build a really strong standard for myself in getting fitter and stronger and competing hard on the track,” Petrevski-Seton said.

Sam Petrevski-Seton is always looking forward. (Photo: Carlton Media)

“My aim for 2019 is to play a consistent brand of footy, I was pretty inconsistent last year. My main focus was coming into this pre-season and building that tank — to be able to run out four quarters and endure for longer.

“I want to go out there and not worry about how many touches I get, but having a strong focus, keeping it simple with my mindset and just going out playing footy.”

It didn’t take long for the Halls Creek Cowboy to latch himself to some of the bigger names that have been around football circles for a long time.

Since preparations began for the upcoming year, he sought the advice of veteran Marc Murphy. Then, on the third day of pre-season camp in Mooloolaba, Petrevski-Seton was partnered with Kade Simpson for the 7am beach circuit.

“I’m trying to build relationships with ‘Murph’. I want to be able to play a variety of roles for the team and he’s one of the guys who was front of mind that I wanted to speak to. I wanted to pick a few things from his mind about what to do on the track,” he said.

“I was with Kade Simpson (for the circuit), it was a good one-hour beach session. Working alongside him — he’s been in the game for 17 years and I’ve been in it for three. We both used our voice a lot, it gave both of us the energy to get through it.”

Petrevski-Seton was a regular young face in Carlton’s midfield last season, alongside fellow West Australian Zac Fisher. This year, the Blues added Will Setterfield, Liam Stocker and Sam Walsh to the ranks, while Matthew Kennedy is hopeful of a big second year in navy blue.

Petrevski-Seton understood the importance of tapping into the senior players on the list as the Blues continue to place a competitive focus on pre-season.

“In each training session, we have a really heavy focus on competing and getting something out of it. It’s really impressive to the see the senior boys still going strong, and then the three-to-five year boys who keeping bouncing and growing the leadership side of things,” he said.

“We can grow and learn together as a group, not just on the field, but growing those relationships which make us really close off the field — that will turn into good trust and caring when we play.

“We want to learn from the older guys as much as possible — ‘Murph’, ‘Crippa’ and ‘Simmo’ — and pick their brain. We want to keep each other accountable and have that confidence that we can do really well and play our role in the team.”

While there continues to be a hard edge to Carlton’s pre-season, Petrevski-Seton’s bubbly personality has been a feature.

What immediately comes to mind is the nickname which follows him around on the ground, which he believes is down to his fellow fleet-of-foot midfield partner.

“The nickname ‘Cowboy’ — I think Zac Fisher grew that throughout the team. It drives me to know that the players and the coaching group are respectful and caring, even with that little nickname,” he said.

“It puts a smile on my face but it also brings a bit of energy within the group and myself as well. It’s obviously something I love doing: when you bring good energy, two or three people can feed off that. That can be enough to bring it up another level on the track.”

Petrevski-Seton’s story is one which spurs him on. As he puts it, it’s something which he brings with him on the field whenever he pulls on the jumper.

That’s evident with the celebration which has greeted each of his 15 goals at senior level. And you’d think it won’t stop anytime soon.

“For myself, it’s about representing my family and friends back home, but also Carlton as a club. It’s a childhood dream to play football, it’s pretty special,” he said.

“To represent the past and present players as well, it’s very unique. It’s a very powerful jumper and it’s an honour representing it — knowing Carlton is a very big football club.

“I’m very fortunate to put that guernsey on and every time I kick a goal, there’s that celebration that goes with it.”

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