Q: You suffered a serious injury when you split you liver last year. Have you made a full recovery?

A: Everything is fine. I probably could of returned late in the season last year but with finals out of the equation the club decided I should sit out the season.

Q: What role can you see yourself playing this season?

A: Predominantly as a key forward. Especially since Brandon Symes is still recovering from a knee injury and is not due back to mid-season.

Q: Willie Wheeler, Leigh Masters and Sam Schulz are high-profile recruits who joined the club over the off-season. What impact have they had over the pre-season?

A: Their professionalism and intensity on the training track has been a real eye-opener. They boast plenty of experience and knowledge and are not afraid to pull you aside at training and tell you what you are doing wrong and how to improve.

Q: You are a developing key forward. Who do you look up to as a role model?

A: It's hard to go past Xavier Leslie. He boasts an enviable record and has played at such a high level for more than a decade. Xave is two games short of his 300th which is a massive achievement and something I'm really looking forward to being a part of.

CAN THE PIGEON'S RETURN TO FINALS THIS SEASON?

Definitely. Missing finals last year didn't sit well with the Pigeons' hierarchy who launched a recruiting blitz which landed high-profile trio Willie Wheeler, Leigh Masters and Sam Schulz as well as adding a stack of depth. Alongside coach Mark Whiley, the Pigeons will boast four of the best players in the competition and should be among the competition's biggest improvers.

CAN TYLER BONAT AND BRANDON SYMES HAVE A MID-SEASON IMPACT WHEN THEY RETURN FROM LONG-TERM INJURIES?

Bonat is among the hardest trainers in the competition and will give himself every opportunity of recapturing his best form. Symes will add height and experience and alongside young key forward Matt Casey provide the Pigeons with twin towers in attack.

CAN INJURY-PRONE RECRUIT SAM SCHULZ COMPLETE A FULL SEASON?

History says no. Schulz has hardly played for the past two seasons after being among Albury's best in its grand final loss to Wangaratta in 2017. Schulz has relocated to Yarrawonga and not having to travel each week will give him the best opportunity to get his body right.

CAN THE PIGEONS OVERCOME A TOUGH EARLY SEASON DRAW?

After not making finals last season the Pigeons can consider themselves stiff to cop Wangaratta Rovers, Wodonga Raiders, Albury, Myrtleford and Wangaratta in the opening five weeks. It's fair to say the Pigeons will have a fair indication of where they stand in the pecking order. They would need at least two wins on the board or risk being out of finals contention.

IN OTHER NEWS

CAN THE PIGEON'S RETURN TO FINALS THIS SEASON?

Definitely. Missing finals last year didn't sit well with the Pigeons' hierarchy who launched a recruiting blitz which landed high-profile trio Willie Wheeler, Leigh Masters and Sam Schulz as well as adding a stack of depth. Alongside coach Mark Whiley, the Pigeons will boast four of the best players in the competition and should be among the competition's biggest improvers.

CAN TYLER BONAT AND BRANDON SYMES HAVE A MID-SEASON IMPACT WHEN THEY RETURN FROM LONG-TERM INJURIES?

Bonat is among the hardest trainers in the competition and will give himself every opportunity of recapturing his best form. Symes will add height and experience and alongside young key forward Matt Casey provide the Pigeons with twin towers in attack.

CAN INJURY-PRONE RECRUIT SAM SCHULZ COMPLETE A FULL SEASON?

History says no. Schulz has hardly played for the past two seasons after being among Albury's best in its grand final loss to Wangaratta in 2017. Schulz has relocated to Yarrawonga and not having to travel each week will give him the best opportunity to get his body right.

CAN THE PIGEONS OVERCOME A TOUGH EARLY SEASON DRAW?

After not making finals last season the Pigeons can consider themselves stiff to cop Wangaratta Rovers, Wodonga Raiders, Albury, Myrtleford and Wangaratta in the opening five weeks. It's fair to say the Pigeons will have a fair indication of where they stand in the pecking order. They would need at least two wins on the board or risk being out of finals contention.