Young defender Marty Gleeson has set his sights on playing his first senior match of his career during the 2014 season after a stellar pre-season campaign.

The 19-year-old has shown his potential during the club’s two NAB Challenge matches this pre-season with his pace and poise under pressure evident.

Gleeson gathered 16 disposals against Port Adelaide on Tuesday night to follow up from his 16 disposals and 8 marks against Gold Coast in the first game of the pre-season.

Gleeson said he was confident he was ready to play at the top level if called upon during the home and away season.

“I would love to but if it doesn’t happen it is not the end of the world and I will keep working hard,” Gleeson said.

“I am still young and want to keep getting better, improving every week and getting my body stronger.”

The exciting young prospect was sidelined for the first period of pre-season training prior to Christmas as he recovered from shoulder surgery and then glandular fever.

Since returning to the track he has work closely with assistant coach Matthew Egan to continue to develop his game.

“I got back into it after Christmas and haven’t missed a beat so it has been good,”

“Out at training all the boys have been encouraging me to run off and get the ball in my hands so it has been really good.”

“I got switched to defence during the pre-season because I was a forward last year.”

“I have been practicing my one on ones, getting back and engaging my man as well as contested work so I need to keep getting better at that.”