INJURY-PLAGUED St Kilda midfielder Nathan Freeman has continued his encouraging pre-season, storming to a fourth-placed finish in the Saints' 3km time trial on Friday.
Battling to kick-start his AFL career after three seasons ruined by hamstring injuries, Freeman chased home running machine Jarryn Geary, Daniel McKenzie and draftee Ed Phillips in an impressive showing at Seaford.
Freeman's effort followed a second-placing behind Geary in a time trial for senior Saints before the Christmas break.
While the bullocking onballer is yet to play a senior game after originally being drafted by Collingwood with pick No.10 in 2013, recent signs have been positive.
The 21-year-old sought specialist treatment for his chronic hamstring issues in Germany at the end of last season, after finishing the campaign strongly for Sandringham at VFL and development league level.
The Saints, looking to play finals for the first time since 2011 next season, had 13 players run personal bests on Friday – their first day back at training this year.
"We spoke pre-Christmas about the fact we're in good shape and to have the confidence that they've been training strongly and putting in the work," high performance manager Matt Hornsby said.
"So today was another tick to give them the confidence that they've been doing the work. It also gives us confidence that the groups done the right thing over the break.
"It’s good to see that while 'Gears' still holds the title, he is being challenged by a couple of the younger boys as well.
"Dan McKenzie and Ed Phillips, Nathan Freeman as well and then the group of really strong runners in Mav (Maverick Weller), Seb Ross and 'Newnesy' (Jack Newnes) were chasing hard; there's a core group of strong runners now."
Jarryn Geary upstages the young Saints to take out the time trial. Picture: Saints.com.au
With the countdown on until St Kilda's first JLT Community Series match against Port Adelaide on February 23, Horsby said the Saints are set to ramp up their training workload.
"It's certainly the most challenging block physically because there is still the best part of six or seven weeks before games start," he said.
"There's still quite a long time to train so the volume of work is high and the intensity of the work is high and it’s invariably in hot weather, so it’s physically a tough month.
"But if they get through January well it sets them up for the season."
