Mitch Duncan is on track to play in Round 1 for the first time since 2020, having arrived at this point of the pre-season, which included a training block in the USA, injury-free.
The 274-game Geelong veteran has put his hand up to play in both the practice match against Carlton next Thursday (22 February), and the Community Series clash against Essendon on 1 March at GMHBA Stadium.
“I’ve done the biggest pre-season I’ve done in five or six years – I haven’t really missed a session,” Duncan told K rock Football.
“Things have been good the last four or five months.
“Hopefully, that stems into the season, and the rest will take care of itself.”
Duncan, who turns 33 in June, enters a season out of contract for the first time in his career.
He knows the end is closer than the beginning and that 2024 could be the last time he dons the Hoops.
“I think, naturally, as you get older, it does cross your mind whether you can handle the rigours and perform at the level that you think is good enough and what the team needs as well,” Duncan said.
“But, I still think my best footy is at a high (enough) level for AFL. I feel like I’m more of a chance to get there than I have in the past with the pre-season I’ve had.
“I’m going into the year very positive that I can play better footy than I did last year and the year before that, too.”
Following the season, Duncan took the opportunity to spend a fortnight with renowned athletic trainer Austin Einhorn in Colorado.
Having battled calf and hamstring issues in recent years, Duncan undertook a strengthening program across ten sessions with Einhorn, who’s also worked with a range of professional athletes, including Port Adelaide great Travis Boak.
“I’ve had a bit more time to implement that over the off-season,” Duncan said.
“And, I suppose just stringing sessions together, you build so much confidence in your body again. It’s probably something I’ve lacked over the last couple of years.
“I’m feeling really strong and confident that I can perform at a high standard.”
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Barring injury or poor form, Duncan should climb to seventh on Geelong’s all-time games played list, where Darren Milburn currently sits on 292 matches.
All 23 home-and-away games and three finals would see the West Australian product reach the 300-game milestone.
However, Duncan admits playing every game in his advancing years is unlikely.
“And, we’ve got to keep developing the team,” he said.
“It’s probably at a fine-line stage. I still think our best footy’s good enough if we can stay healthy.
“But, there’s some great kids coming through and we need to expose them as much as we can at the same time to prepare for life after myself and a few of my other senior teammates.
“It’s a fine balance. If I play 23 games, I must be playing good footy.”
Duncan’s pre-season has been spent at half-back and in the midfield.
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“You’ve got to keep the options open,” he laughed. “If you can’t get a game at half-back, you can go through the midfield and vice versa.
“Most likely half-back at this stage, but I think versatility is my strength.”
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