FORGOTTEN Collingwood midfielder Clinton Young has declared himself fit to take part in the NAB Challenge series starting next month.
Young's 2013 season was ruined by a series of worrisome hamstring injuries, restricting him to just two senior games and consigning him to spend a large chunk of time in rehab.
"It was obviously a frustrating season last year. But throughout the pre-season I've really attacked it and things are going well for the season ahead," Young told collingwoodfc.com.au.
"The hamstring's been good. It was a bit slow at the start of the pre-season, but since sort of the end of December [I've been] doing full training."
Young's running power has been on display on the training track and he has joined his teammates in full training.
A strong focus on transition running has been employed under new fitness coach Bill Davoren and it's an area that Young is thriving in.
"Things are tracking really well and I should be taking full part [in training] into the NAB Challenge and into the season," he said.
Young arrived at the Magpies, after transferring from Hawthorn at the end of 2012, as one of the club's marquee recruits. But he was left frustrated when his pre-season was halted before it even began.
"Last year I missed pretty much the whole pre-season, so I was pretty much playing catch up all year and that obviously showed with all the injuries I had throughout the year," Young said.
"I wanted to really prove to the Collingwood people that I can really play well and I obviously couldn't do that. In many ways I'm as hungry as I've ever been to really perform this year."
The Magpies kick off their NAB Challenge campaign with an opening round clash against Geelong at Simonds Stadium on February 14.
