WEST Coast ruckman Scott Lycett says the competition for a spot in the Eagles’ starting 22 has driven him to his best pre-season to date.
Lycett has played just 22 matches since he was recruited with pick No.29 in the 2010 NAB AFL draft.
The 22-year-old played 12 matches last year while part of a ruck rotation that included the retiring six-time All Australian Dean Cox, 2012 All Australian Nic Naitanui and 25-year-old mature-age recruit Callum Sinclair.
Following Cox's retirement, it appears to be a two-man race between Lycett and Sinclair to partner Naitanui in the Eagles' best line-up.
Longmuir: "It's getting really competitive between those three"
Lycett said the competition had driven him to do more minutes of training than any other Eagle this pre-season.
"I've done more training than anyone this pre-season," Lycett said.
"I think I've missed three drills all pre-season. Hopefully that can make me a better player going into the 2015 season.
"It's been a healthy competition. I think if I didn't have competition I wouldn't be a better player.
"I'm going to give my best to keep 'Sincas' out of the side and hold that spot."
Coach Adam Simpson said the ruck situation appeared healthy on the surface but he does have his concerns given the retirement of Cox.
"We think we've got three quality ruckman with Lycett and Sinclair and obviously Nic, but the depth is probably not as strong as last year," Simpson said.
"We think (when they're all) up and about it's a really good combination, any of those three, but we need them available."
Lycett's value to the club was made clear when the Eagles secured him to a four-year contract at the end of last season after several clubs, including Port Adelaide, showed interest in recruiting the South Australian.
Lycett admitted he has struggled with confidence in the past but he said the continuity of games at the back end of 2014 had given him great belief.
"The second half of last year I went in with a lot of confidence and tried to just play to my strengths," Lycett said.
"Hopefully I've improved on that in this pre-season and I can be better than last year."
