VERSATILE Greater Western Sydney big man Adam Tomlinson has put the frustration of 2015 behind him and looks primed to establish himself as a regular senior player next season after taking out both of the Giants' 3km time trials on Saturday.
A group of 12 Giants players entering their fifth season in the competition took on a wet track at Tom Wills Oval and Tomlinson was the clear standout.
Gun midfielder Dylan Shiel showed he was over a knee injury that ended his 2015 season early by finishing second to Tomlinson, with defender Adam Kennedy and on ballers Devon Smith and Stephen Coniglio rounding out the top five.
The players were put through some light skill work by assistant coaches Luke Power, Dean Brogan, Mark McVeigh and newcomer Lenny Hayes for around 30 minutes, before Tomlinson and Shiel again led the way in a second run.
Tomlinson was the subject of constant speculation during last month's trade period, but despite being heavily linked to a move to Carlton in search of more opportunities, the key position swingman remained at GWS.
The 22 year-old managed just eight senior games in 2015 thanks to a serious toe injury he suffered in round two, which sidelined him for over two months.
Despite fighting his way back into the side by round 15 and showing some promising form as a leading forward and key defender, Tomlinson was surprisingly dropped after the Giants' round 18 loss to Fremantle.
He was then recalled for the final two games of the season after spending three weeks in the NEAFL.
Tomlinson told AFL.com.au that hearing his name mentioned often during the trade period had no effect on him personally, and that he was always committed to playing with the Giants.
"It was more that a lot of the other clubs approached my manager (to enquire about a trade)," Tomlinson said.
"At the end of the days the Giants said no to a pretty good pick (as a trade) so they do value me as a player and I do love it up here in Sydney.
"I've got a great bunch of mates and I've got my own house.
"I signed a contract a year ago so I've still got two years to go; I love Melbourne and I love my friends and family back home, but I go back a fair bit anyway."
Tomlinson didn't really have an off-season and trained daily in Melbourne with former teammate Dom Tyson in a bid to stay in good condition for the resumption of pre-season training.
Versatility is seen as Tomlinson's greatest strengths, but it's also meant he's never locked down a set position in the GWS line-up, which at times has seen him thrown around and unable to settle.
Last year, the gifted athlete kept St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt quiet in the Giants' 35-point win in round 15, then a fortnight later took 10 marks playing as a lead-up forward in a disappointing loss to Geelong.
In an ideal world, Tomlinson admits that he'd love to play centre half-forward for GWS in season 2016, but he realises that his ability to swing from end to end will suit him thanks to the changes to the AFL's interchange rules from season 2016.
"With the rotation cap going down to 90, you've got to be able to have that second position, because some players can't spend the whole time on the ground and need more breaks than others," Tomlinson said.
"I think being able to run like I can is really beneficial for me because with the new rotation limit you're not going to go off too much.
"I think the coaches will give a lot of those rotations to the midfielders, rather than the forwards and backs."
In positive news for the Giants, former No.1 draft pick Jon Patton ran well and looks set for his first full pre-season campaign after being plagued with knee injuries in his short career.
The power forward showed no ill effects from being assaulted outside a Los Angeles bar while holidaying with Coniglio and ex-teammate Tomas Bugg in October.
Emerging defenders Nick Haynes (groin) and Matt Buntine (concussion) looked in good shape after struggling in the back half of last season, while key backman Tim Mohr also completed the hitout after undergoing his second knee reconstruction in two years during the season.
