St Kilda’s first to fourth year players were quickly snapped out of holiday mode with a gruelling three-kilometre time trial around Seaford on Monday.

In gusty conditions, Jack Sinclair set the pace early and built an unassailable lead as the players worked their way round the running track bordering Linen House Centre.

Having won last year’s day one time trial, Jack Newnes’ title was up for grabs with the 23-year-old joining the 5+ year category to return on November 21.

Daniel McKenzie made ground on Sinclair in the final stages, but was unable to catch the classy midfielder, with the players pushed to breaking point on the opening day of pre-season for 2017.

Jack Lonie, Nathan Wright and Blake Acres rounded out the top five, while Hugh Goddard, Jake Carlisle and Nathan Freeman all sat out the trial with moderated programs.

New Irish recruits Ray Connellan and Darragh Joyce needed no time adapting to an AFL pre-season, running well to finishing ninth and tenth respectively.

After the torturous initiation to pre-season, the Saints completed a 30 minute skills session with majority of the returning players involved. Luke Dunstan and Lewis Pierce ran laps as they continue their recovery from injury.

Speaking to SAINTS.com.au post training, McKenzie spoke of the nervous energy heading into the time trial and day one of pre-season.

“It was pretty nervous coming into the three kilometres,” he said.

“Everyone was unsure how they would go and if they will hit their benchmarks, but I think once we get that out of the way we just go day by day,”  

Challenging the breakaway of McKenzie and Sinclair, Jack Lonie and Nathan Wright also showed their strong running capacities.

“Lones, Nathan Wright he was right on it there, they are all good runners but Sincs and I were able to get that breakaway and once you get enough metres on them it’s hard to catch back.” McKenzie said.

The returning Saints will continue pre-season training before the remaining players conclude their off-season in just under two weeks.

3km time trial top 10

1. Jack Sinclair
2. Daniel McKenzie
3. Jack Lonie
4. Nathan Wright
5. Blake Acres
6. Tim Membrey
7. Jack Billings
8. Nick O’Kearney
9. Ray Connellan
10. Darragh Joyce