TOM Simpkin can’t wait to run out onto the MCG on Saturday afternoon for his first senior game in 2014. 

A string of solid performances at VFL level, almost exclusively in defence, have earned the 23-year-old the recall he desperately craved.

“Yeah it is a good feeling,” Simpkin told SAINTS.com.au on Friday.

“It’s come off the back of a pretty big pre-season where I’ve been working a lot on my fitness and my running and I think I’ve shown some good signs down at Sandy. I’m just rapt to get my chance.”

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The former rookie played two games under Ross Lyon in 2011 and a further 24 under Scott Watters over the next two seasons. However it’s Alan Richardson’s direction that has proven most instrumental in recent times.

“A lot of it (the message from the coaches) has been to improve my running because that is the way the game goes now. So I just want to be able to play four quarters but not lose my aggression side of things and be hard to play against.”

Aside from a vastly increased aerobic capacity, Simpkin’s greatest strength is his physical presence in the clinches, according to St Kilda assistant coach Paul Hudson.

“He just loves the physicality,” Hudson said in Monday’s VFL player breakdown. 

“When he tackles and hits hard, he really makes it count, and he finished with five tackles. He thrives on that.

“He actually mentioned after the game that he was stoked because he had a chase down from behind, and he doesn’t get that many of them. But the determination and attitude was there which was great.”

Simpkin is committed to bringing a similar intensity in what is likely to be wet and wintery conditions at the Hawks on Saturday afternoon.

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“I pride myself on being hard and tough at the man and the ball so I’ll definitely try and bring that to the game tomorrow.”

The Colac product is one of five inclusions for the Saints, with two of his fellow Sandringham teammates across the first few rounds joining him in the red, white and black for the first time in 2014.

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“Mav [Weller] is just a hard nut and an in-and-under player so he deserves his chance. He’s played some great games down at Sandy,” Simpkin said.  

“Blake has just been great with his ball use and his run. He has real composure off half-back so yeah, I’m rapt for him.”

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Despite his excitement at reclaiming a spot in the senior team, Simpkin is acutely aware of the task at hand against the reigning premiers.

“We just have to compete with contested footy, tackling and just have a real red hot crack. We’ve got nothing to lose, they are the best side in the competition.”