As the 2015 pre-season begins young midfielder Will Hams stands out as one player excited about the fresh start a new season brings.
Hams failed to take to the field in 2014 after issues with a hip injury left him on the sidelines for most of the season.
The 20-year-old has returned to the track well during the first week of pre-season training after overcoming his concerns to showcase his elite fitness.
He finished fourth in the 2km time trial last week among the first to fourth year players in their initial week of testing.
“I just can’t wait for a fresh start to start the new year which will be good,” Hams said.
“Obviously I just want to get through the pre-season to have a strong start into the year and hopefully have no injury concerns again.
“Since it was fixed I haven’t had any problems and I have been running for thirteen weeks now and haven’t had any dramas so I should be good to go I think.”
Hams played two matches in his first season with the club in the 2013 season after being selected in the pre-season draft.
Coach James Hird recently said he expected a big season from the youngster from midfielder who has previously showed an ability to put his body on the line when required.
“Will is an excellent young man and disappointingly injuries prevented him from playing any football at all this year,” Hird said.
“It was disappointing for the club because we were very excited after his first year.
“We picked him up in the pre-season draft just before the start of the 2013 season and we have loved the way he has gone about his football but we actually just love the way he goes about everything he does.
“We are very excited that he has re-signed and he should play a lot of football for us next year and plenty of AFL football I think.
“Looking to the future he will be a terrific player for us.”