There aren’t many footballers with the size, skill and stamina of Jarrod Brander, and the emerging Eagle will continue using those natural gifts across a variety of roles as he seeks to build his AFL experience.

Brander took another step forward in 2020, playing eight of his 11 career matches, while adding another string to his bow as a hard-running marking target on a wing.

It was a role he enjoyed and can see value in pursuing next season, however the 21-year-old is keeping an open mind to filling spots wherever they provide an avenue into the senior team.

“I’ve had some good chats in the last couple of weeks with ‘Simmo’ (coach Adam Simpson) and a couple of my mentors. I think I’ll play a similar role – half-forward and a bit of wing and potentially some back stuff as well,” Brander told westcoasteagles.com.au.

“I’m still looking to find my spot within the side - wherever that fits.

“I’m happy to play anywhere. I can’t do that forever but I’m happy to do that while I’m still young and trying to find my spot in the side.

“I trained that (wing position) all of last pre-season and felt like I’d found my spot at the start of last year.

“I played the first four rounds of the season and (had) mixed form but it’s something I definitely think I can do in the future and play some other roles as well.

“I think it works to my strengths. I can run, I can be a bit of a taller wingman, so that’s something I want to work on.”

Entering his fourth season in the AFL, the 195cm tall returned to pre-Christmas training in terrific condition – placing a fast-finishing second behind recruit Zac Langdon in the first-to-fourth-year players’ 2km time trial.

Alongside the likes of Oscar Allen, Jake Waterman and Josh Rotham, he is pushing more senior Eagles for spots as the club aims to go deeper into finals in 2021.

“They’re the core of the club in the next few years, next five or six years, so hopeful to be a part of that and build with those guys,” Brander said.

“There’s obviously still legends of the club rolling around but they won’t be around forever, so if we can start playing well and take the club forward for sustained success that would be awesome.

“I’ve had a pretty good off-season, I’ve had no niggles, no injuries. I’m really focused on getting my body fit and healthy so I can have an injury-free year and get the most out of my 2021.”