Strongly-built, young midfield prospect Matt Arnot has set his sights high as he aims to build on the solid gains he made in his second season at Richmond.

Arnot, who made his AFL debut in 2013, playing four games with the Tigers before a severe back injury brought a premature end to his season, knows exactly where he wants to take his game.

“Physically, I want to get a lot better,” Arnot told ‘Roar Vision’.

“I want to be one of the fittest, if not the fittest, at the Club next year in terms of the best runner . . . an elite runner, both to and from.

“It’s also about understanding your role as well . . . getting your footy mind around it.

“And, playing in the midfield, also is something I want to do a lot more next year.

“I sort of cracked it to play as a small forward (this year), but I reckon midfield would be really good for next year.

“I want to be like a battering ram.  You go in, smash out two blokes, win the ball, and get it out to someone like Deledio or Cotchin.

“If you can find a niche in that, it’s really important.

“That’s what we needed in the elimination final.  It’s probably where we got beaten.”

Arnot, who turns 20 next month, is recovering well from the back injury that ended his season after Round 18.

“The back’s been really good.  I’m going to get a scan in a couple of weeks,” he said.

“So, eight weeks off, and then I’ll start doing my Alter-G running again . . .

“I’ll be fine, ready to go.”

Having enjoyed a brief taste of the game at the highest level this year, Arnot is convinced it will hold him in good stead for next season.

“Just learning the roles and understanding where you fit in the team was a real positive out of this year,” he said.

“It was also really important just to understand what you need to do to get to that next level and play AFL next year consistently.

“It gives me confidence that I can improve and can actually contribute effectively to the team, so it’s exciting . . .”