JAMES Aish has quickly settled into life as a Brisbane Lion despite having to confront some "pretty huge" challenges.
Aish told AFL.com.au his world had changed substantially since the Lions called his name at pick No. 7 in last November's NAB AFL Draft.
Not only has the star South Australian junior had to adjust to living away from family and friends in a new state, he's also had adjust to the demands of an AFL pre-season.
It's been a big adjustment, but Aish is loving his new life.
"Having to move into a new state and getting used to looking after yourself and the big demands of training, long hours at the club each day, it's been a big challenge but I'm really enjoying it and learning a lot," Aish said at the AFL Players' Induction Camp this week.
"I've loved it so far. The club's been really good, the players have been really good so far, they're a really good bunch of guys.
"We're very lucky with the coaches we've got on board as well.
"I think all of the other draftees are starting to learn the city and get to know it, and it's been good fun."
Although it's still early days, Aish's comments will be welcomed by Lions fans after the disappointment of last year's trade period, when five young players left the club citing homesickness.
The Lions have bolstered their development and player welfare programs since the departures of Jared Polec, Patrick Karnezis, Billy Longer, Sam Docherty and Elliot Yeo.
But Aish also says the fact most Lions recruits have to relocate interstate can actually work in the club's favour.
"At least 90 per cent (of players) have moved to go up here, so I think that's a pretty unique thing and pretty special," Aish says.
"We have to be a family up here. Hopefully that's something that can bond us together and drive us, and bring some success going forward."
Aish's acclimatisation has been helped having already known four of last year's other draftees – Lewis Taylor, Darcy Gardiner, Nick Robertson, Tom Cutler – as fellow members of the AIS-AFL Academy.
Sam Mayes was the only other Lions teammate he knew prior to arriving at the Gabba, but Aish says the club's senior players and coaches quickly made him feel welcome.
"Dan Rich and Brent Moloney I've worked with a bit in the midfield. They've been really good, just (with) one on ones and trying to give a few little hints," he says.
"Simon Black as an assistant coach is a pretty good person to learn off, so he's been looking after me a bit as well, along with Shane Woewodin.
"(Justin Leppitsch) has been really good, really organised at training … we're learning a lot every session and just getting used to implementing that into a game plan.
"One-on-one and walking around the club he's really friendly and has a good sense of humour and brings that into the meetings. He's fantastic."
Having played senior football with Norwood for the past two seasons, the two-time SANFL premiership player is better placed than most 2013 draftees to make a round one debut.
But Aish is not looking that far ahead.
"At the moment, it's just about getting through pre-season and gaining respect from my teammates," he says.
"I definitely want to play as early as I can and try and help the team along, but it's AFL so you have to earn your spot and work hard.
"Hopefully, if I do everything right through the pre-season I'll get a shot."
Twitter: @AFL_Nick. http://afl.to/nickbowen
