Michael Close: Hey guys Michael here, fire away with questions!

Brett Sams: What is one of big things you think you need to improve to be a successful AFL player? 

Michael Close: Hi brett, the major thing that i need to work on as a tall forward would have to be my marking.

Bill: Hi Michael, How are you finding living in Brisbane? 

Michael Close: Hey Bill, I am loving it here in Brisbane. Didnt know how i would handle it at first but it has been as easy environment to fit into with all the boys being great!

Jess: Hi Michael, Was Jed your pick for captain? 

Michael Close: Hey, yeah Jed was my pick for caption, i thought he suited that role very well.

Jed: Hey Closey, are we going to see you playing this weekend at Metricon? 

Michael Close: No i wont be playing this weeekend at Metricon. Injured foot

Jack: Did you know you were going to get drafted to Brisbane, what did you think when they read your name out? 

Michael Close: No i had no idea where i was going, i was just sitting back at home waiting for my name to be read out! I couldnt be happier moving up here and family feel the same.

Andrew: Who's being helping your on field work? 

Michael Close: Adrian Fletcher has been working with me a fait bit as he is our forwards coach. He has been really good to me and helping me transition into this elite environment.

Sam: Do you think you will get a crack in the NAB Cup? 

Michael Close: I would love to but just hae to wait and see.

Tom: Hi Michael, Welcome to the club and how have you found your first pre season? 

Michael Close: Hey Tom, thanks for that and i have found it tough but very good. The boys have been good and training has been very challenging which is good.

Tim: Who were your footy idols growing up? 

Michael Close: I didnt follow a side growing up but i use to love watching Chris Judd play

Andrew: what goals have you set for the season?

Michael Close: My goals have just been to get my body fit and to learn as much as possible. Games arent a focus for me as i am a project player

Andrew: How scary is the men's club? Or is all in their minds? 

Michael Close: Not very scary for me as Browney takes them all.

Di: What has been the best part of being at the Lions so far? 

Michael Close: The best part of the lions is the people that are involved, they all are trying to make us better footballers

Guest: When did you injure your foot? You seemed to be moving well at the intra-club. Are you going to be out for long? 

Michael Close: I injured my foot about 2 weeks ago but nothing major.

Mikey: HI Michael good luck this season. Do you think Sam Docherty is a chance for the rising star this year?

Michael Close: Yeah sam has had a really good pre-season and has impressed a few people so hopefully he has a good consistant year and could be a good chance for that.

Mikey: your from Harrow whats that claim to fame or what can you tell us about the town? 

Michael Close: Harrow is a small country town that has a lot of tourists come though it but probably the Johnny Mullah Cricket event is the main attraction.

Andrew: who are you living with at the moment? what have you learned you wish you hadn't? 

Michael Close: I am living with 3 other new boys in Sam Mayes, Nick Hayes and Marco Paparone. I have learnt that i need to clean up more cause the other 3 are clean so i have become better.

Jack: Who have you found to be the most annoying at the club so far?

Michael Close: The most annoying would have to be Ryan Lester, he keeps pestering me when its not necessary.

Tess: Hi Michael, did you bring a special lady up to Brisbane with you? 

Michael Close: Hey, nah i didnt bring up any special lady with me.

Nate: Hey Michael. Good luck with the year. Did you expect to finish so high in the time trial? Pretty good effort for a big fella!

Michael Close: No i didnt really know where i sat in the group in terms of my running but i was stoked with how it went.

Mikey: Who is the funniest player at the Lions? 

Michael Close: Funniest player for me would have to be Dayne Zorko.

Tom: Best advice for a young bloke who wants to get drafted in the next few years? 

Michael Close: Probably to keep doing what your good at but try even more to improve what you need to work on.

Dean: Are you looking to play mainly up forward this year? 

Michael Close: Yeah i have been in the forwards group all pre season so i see myself playing up there but i did play a bit down back in the intra club match.

Nate: You are a pretty decent size - are you able to go into the ruck? 

Michael Close: Yeah hopefully i could do some back up ruck work this year cause i like playing there but it depends what the coaches want.

Andrew: back men are the salt of the earth

Michael Close: Thats very debateable i think

Mikey: which group has James Polkinghorne been training with 

Michael Close: He has been training at both ends

Tom: Someone in the current playing group has to bring back the Big mullet hair doo this year who's the most likely Sam Mayes?? 

Michael Close: Yeah i think that it would suit him pretty well but unsure who could fufill the mullet.

Been good chatting, have to head off now to have meeting, make sure you head down to Metricon on Saturday to watch the boys play!