Port Adelaide backman Hamish Hartlett says he is confident Ryan Burton and Orazio Fantasia will overcome their injury issues.
Drafted in 2008, Hartlett negotiated soft tissue and shoulder injuries during his first four seasons at Alberton before establishing himself as a club leader.
Burton was limited to eight games by muscular strains last year, but the Power vice-captain says the former Hawk’s body will adjust with more time at the level.
“I found that was the way I overcame all my soft tissue stuff early on,” Hartlett explained on SEN SA Breakfast.
“To adapt to the (training) load does take a long period of time.”
Hartlett expects Burton and Fantasia will follow a similar trajectory.
“Ryan has changed the way he goes about his training during the offseason, and so far during the preseason he’s been far more committed to taking on bigger training loads.
“I think that will only hold him in good stead in the long run.”
Hartlett nominated father-son selection Jackson Mead as another young player to be patient with.
“He’s a very dynamic and explosive player, he’s had soft tissue injuries early on in his career (too),” Hartlett added.
“It might not be the last setback or frustration he has in his career, but believe that he has a great team around him.
“At some stage his body will come good, and he’ll be able to string lots of training and games together.”