LUCKLESS St Kilda midfielder Nathan Freeman will move out of his modified program and into match simulation on Friday, with coach Alan Richardson excited about the speedster's potential to improve his midfield in 2018.
Freeman is yet to make his AFL debut after four seasons – including the past two with St Kilda – but the Saints have designed a specialised program for the midfielder that has helped recapture his leg speed and prevent injury.
Richardson said the 22-year-old had been held out of the main training group by design this summer to complete a stringent conditioning program, but he was ready to be released 19 days before the opening JLT Community Series match against Carlton.
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"His speed is now as high as it's been in two years, so he's starting to back himself and trust his legs," Richardson told AFL.com.au.
"He's had a really good run at it in the period leading up to Christmas and post-Christmas, so he'll now join in.
"He's in really good shape and mentally he's still really positive. I've never met someone as strong as him mentally.
"I've been really impressed by him and I really want him to have a bit of luck … our whole group does. He's a really popular person and I'm really optimistic for 'Freezer' now."
After his first two seasons at Collingwood were all but wiped out by hamstring injuries, Freeman moved to St Kilda ahead of the 2016 season and was able to play eight games in the VFL and VFL development league.
The No.10 pick in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft then put together an extended block of VFL football for the first time in 2017, pushing for senior selection in the second half of the season.
His campaign was ended in round 18, however, when he suffered a right ankle syndesmosis injury at the time the Saints' match committee was contemplating his debut.
Nathan Freeman has been on a modified program during the pre-season. Picture: AFL Photos
Richardson said Freeman had the type of body that would require him to get everything right in his preparation, but his "power of conditioning" work this summer had him ready for the rigours of senior football.
With a wealth of inside ball-winners at his disposal, the coach was excited about Freeman's ability to deliver the outside speed his team needs.
"He's exactly what we think complements the work we've already done with our group," Richardson said.
"We think that we've potentially got a really good balance in there, but he's part of that balance.
"We want him to be part of that balance of inside and outside, the aggressive ball-winners and those who can support that on the outside.
"That's what he's here for and we're really hopeful he gets there."
