“I’m in a much better place than I was last year”: Port Adelaide ball magnet Tom Rockliff answers call of AFLX

Tom Rockliff says he has passed the Sam Powell-Pepper fitness test and is poised to rediscover his best form this season after putting his hand up replace injured teammate Robbie Gray in next week’s AFLX.

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Tom Rockliff says he has passed the Sam Powell-Pepper fitness test and is poised to rediscover his best form this season.

On the comeback trail from a second left shoulder reconstruction, Rockliff has replaced injured teammate Robbie Gray (knee) in next week’s AFLX competition and declared he is “well in front’’ physically of where he was at the same time last year — his first at the Power after nine seasons at Brisbane.

Tom Rockliff takes a breather ahead of Jack Watts at Port Adelaide training at Alberton on Wednesday. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

“I feel like I’m much further in front of where I was this time last year,’’ Rockliff said after getting the call-up to Patrick Dangerfield’s Bolts AFLX team.

“I’ve been in full contact now for two-to-three weeks and been hit quite hard.

“Peps got me the other day, blindsided me and I felt really good, so I’ve passed the Sam Powell-Pepper fitness test and the body feels really good.’’

Former Lions captain and ball magnet Rockliff had a mixed first season at Port after undergoing a first shoulder reconstruction and then battling knee and calf injuries.

He played 18 games before being sent for late-season surgery after he re-injured his shoulder against Richmond in round 12 and had it pop out of its socket completely in the after-the-siren loss to West Coast in round 21.

Sam Powell-Pepper tackles Sam Gray at Port Adelaide training at Alberton on Wednesday. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Former captain Travis Boak fires off a handpass at Port Adelaide training at Alberton. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

He played the following week against Collingwood but was ruled out for the year after struggling to complete the match.

Rockliff averaged 21 disposals for the Power — six below his long-time average at Brisbane.

“The surgery was probably about a month earlier this time and, unlike last year, I’ve had no hiccups this time around,’’ he said, adding his latest surgery was a “bit more intensive’’ than the first.

“I felt that I got a couple of knocks on it when I went back into that (match) simulation last year and it didn’t quite settle but this time it’s much better.’’

Rockliff, who turns 29 on the day he will play in AFLX at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium next Friday, will take part in Port’s intra-club trial at Alberton Oval this Friday.

Jarrod Lienert tries to evade Karl Amon at Port Adelaide training at Alberton. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Gray — the Power’s best player and triple club champion and four-times All-Australian — will be sidelined for a couple of weeks because of knee soreness.

The club says the 30-year-old’s injury is only minor and that he is a chance to play in its opening JLT Community Series match against Adelaide in Port Pirie on March 2.

Dangerfield requested Rockliff replace Gray in his 14-man team for AFLX.

Rockliff is looking forward to a better second season at Alberton and more midfield time after his injuries and form saw him spend much of 2018 playing forward of centre.

“I feel that I’m in a much better place than I was last year, when I didn’t have the impact I would have liked, to go out there and compete,’’ he said.

“I’ve got more confidence in the body and have completed the whole pre-season through the midfield.

“I see myself playing the majority of this year as an inside midfielder.’’