GEELONG midfielder George Horlin-Smith's standout pre-season has continued, finishing third in the club's 15-minute time trial on Wednesday morning.

The time trial contained few surprises, with Mark Blicavs taking out the event in warm conditions at Geelong College. 

Mature-aged rookie Sam Menegola – who previously spent time on Hawthorn and Fremantle's list without playing a game – placed second in the run. 

The Cats decided to use the 15-minute test and the 2.2km shuttle run to gauge the players' fitness, rather than rely on the traditional 2km or 3km time trial prior to Christmas.

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Along with promoted rookie Michael Luxford, Horlin-Smith, 22, has been one of the standouts in the running-based training during the Cats' pre-season. 

The midfielder came back from his off-season break, part of which he spent in Noosa for a triathlon event in late October, in top nick and with a willing attitude.

Horlin-Smith was dropped twice and played just seven games for the Cats in 2015 with a knee injury and inconsistent form at senior level hampering him. 

The onballer – who is contracted until the end of 2018 – will be doing everything he can to break into a bolstered midfield after the acquisitions of Patrick Dangerfield and Scott Selwood.

Menegola, who has recently been confined to the rehab group with a groin strain, excels in endurance events.

The 23-year-old topped the field when he registered a 14.13 beep test result at the state screening in Western Australia in October. 

Blicavs, Geelong's reigning best and fairest winner, is likely to spend more time as a permanent midfielder in 2016. 

With Rhys Stanley (foot) and Mitch Clark (calf) sidelined, the 198cm big man – who has now played 66 career games –spent the last part of the season playing mainly one-out in the ruck. 

But that is set to change with the recruitment of Zac Smith and a healthy Nathan Vardy, as well as Stanley, expected to lead the ruck charge.