After two seasons interrupted by knee injuries, Gwilt has returned to peak fitness and has barely been beaten in recent match simulation drills, prompting excitement among the Saints' coaching team.
The 27-year-old missed the club's Colorado training camp late last year following knee surgery, but new backline coach David Teague said he could do no wrong since returning to the main group.
"A few of the coaches who were here last year have mentioned that he's really got his speed back, which is a great sign," Teague told AFL.com.au.
"He's been the defender who has probably jumped out for me with the way he goes about his training, and in one-on-one contests he's hardly lost a contest.
"He's shown great leadership and he's come off his knee really well."
Teague said there would be a lot of competition for spots in the backline after the Saints recruited tall defenders Josh Bruce and Luke Delaney from Greater Western Sydney and North Melbourne respectively.
As an undersized backline in 2013, the Saints called on Sam Fisher, Sean Dempster and Dylan Roberton – as well as the 188cm Gwilt – to play on taller opponents.
Teague said Gwilt was still shaping as the Saints' No.1 key defender leading into the NAB Challenge, despite giving away size to the club's backline recruits.
"In that position you have to have the physical capabilities to compete with the big forwards, which he obviously has," Teague said.
"But then you've got to be able to defend the lead, so having his speed back will really help there.
"Josh Bruce is young and Luke Delaney has missed a bit of the pre-season, so it's a bit hard to compare them all.
"There's definitely going to be some good competition for spots though with those two guys coming in and Tom Simpkin having played there as well."
Other defenders to impress this pre-season have been Jarryn Geary, Sam Gilbert and Dempster, with the trio's versatility giving the Saints plenty to think about when assessing their best backline structure.
Gilbert managed just 13 games last season because of a knee injury, but Teague said he had been surprised by the 27-year-old's running ability this summer.
Twitter: @AFL_Nathan
