A fortnight after St Kilda’s first to fourth-year players reported for duty, the remainder of the Saints’ list returned on Monday and immediately rolled their sleeves up in preparation for 2017.
In difficult conditions, the more experienced group at Linen House Centre commenced the pre-season with a 3km time-trial around Saints HQ, with endurance specialist Jarryn Geary leading the field home ahead of injury plagued recruit Nathan Freeman and gut running wingman Jack Newnes.
St Kilda High Performance Manager, Matt Hornsby, was pleased with the state the list returned in on day one, with the bulk of senior players within striking distance of their personal best around the course.
“Today’s group has come back in really tough conditions – hot and windy – and run a really strong 3km,” Hornsby told saints.com.au on Monday afternoon.
“A lot of them are not far from their PB’s which is really positive for players in the five plus year age group and quite a few are already equivalent with their best times last pre-season.”
Hornsby lauded the effort by former top-ten pick Freeman, after the dynamic midfielder put his best foot forward following a frustrating start to his career at St Kilda.
“It was a pretty positive morning and it was great to see Nathan Freeman come second behind Jarryn Geary,” Hornsby said.
“That’s the first 3km time-trial he’s done with us and it’s great for his confidence and the belief that it builds given how much work he’s been putting in the last 12 months to get his body in good shape.
“There’s still a lot of work ahead for him but it was a good step forward for him.”
3km Time-trial 21/11/16
1. Jarryn Geary
2. Nathan Freeman
3. Jack Newnes
4. Mav Weller
5. Seb Ross/David Armitage
