With 12 months of AFL experience now behind them, second-year Lions players Jared Polec, Rohan Bewick and Josh Green feel better prepared as they approach the 2012 season.

Speaking exclusively with LIONS TV, the three young apprentices reflected on what they believed to be the biggest challenges in their transition to becoming a senior AFL footballer.

“The professionalism needed to play at this level (was the biggest difference), and all those little things you have to do to make yourself even 1% better,” Polec said.

“The most important thing I’ve picked up is learning to become more of an inside player,” 22 year-old Bewick said.

“When I first got here I was more of an outside player, so I’ve spent time just learning the ropes of stoppages and playing as an inside midfielder.”

“The hardest part for me was getting a handle on the defensive running that is required,” Green said.

All three players believe they have already reaped great benefits from a second pre-season.

Polec, in particular, feels as though he has seen some vast improvements in his own development from this time last year.

“Me and Vossy sat down in the off-season to talk about what I needed to improve on and bulk was one of the major things - (so) it was my major goal during the break,” Polec said.

“I’ve come a long way and learnt some new skills. I’ve also learnt the roles that our team needs to become a better side.”