Confidence key in Schiller's development from role player to midfield general

But a couple of key moments have given him the confidence and self belief to transform from a role player to a key plank of Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes' midfield.

After winning the club's best and fairest last year, the 23-year-old was told by coach Jeremy Rowe he'd be transitioning into the midfield full time after playing mainly on the wing or up forward.

It was a big show of faith, especially in a team which has recruited several high quality midfielders for this year.

"I always was a bit shy and timid with my football ability. I thought I'd get lucky with a few kicks here and there, but to get something like that (best and fairest) shows if they (teammates) have confidence in me, then surely I should too," he said.

"When he (Rowe) said he'd test me out in the midfield I thought 'you beauty'. I've played for a few years now in first grade, but I've always been that smaller body.

"As I've got older I've always wanted to play in the midfield, but never really thought I could."

Ahead of Saturday's home clash with Turvey Park, Rowe said Schiller's progression was reward for effort.

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"He's definitely gone to another level this year. It's just off the back of his work rate, he's always been one who has the ability to do really special things with how clean he is and his good decision making," Rowe said.

"He debuted at quite a young age and he's taken his game from being someone who's more of a forward-wingman and someone who pinch hits through the middle, to an A-grade midfielder, and that's a credit to him.

"That development is mostly on Ethan, but after bringing the guys in what I'm finding is we can come up with a mixture of people (in midfield) that compliment each other, they all go in with a role now.

"I've got no doubt the best and fairest has given Eth a lot of confidence and given him an idea of what other people see in him, which is a guy who can really contribute."

Schiller also has a license to track the ball forward and booted three goals in a big win over Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong earlier this year.

He said the unbeaten Goannas' blistering start to the year also comes down to forming partnerships off the field as much as on it.

"All the players we've brought in are good blokes and we've become real good mates," he said.

"We had a few trial games in Canberra, we all got on the bus and bonded I guess. If you play with your mates you're going to play well I reckon."

Schiller was part of the Goanna's grand final losses to Collingullie-Glenfield Park in 2014 and 2015, when he was just 16 and 17 years old respectively.

A few years on the club has their best chance in a while to secure their first flag since 1993.

"The first two years in seniors I made grand finals and I thought it'd happen all the time," he said.

"There's a lot of wise heads around the club making sure everyone stays in the big picture. If anyone thinks otherwise (and gets ahead of themselves), you get pulled back in pretty quickly."

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