Two weeks into his third pre-season at St Kilda, emerging midfielder Jack Sinclair admits it has become easier to prepare for the summer slog during the time away from the club.

Sinclair, who has played 27 games across his first two seasons at Linen House Centre, returned with the Saints’ first to fourth year players a fortnight ago, where he put his best foot forward on day one by winning the 3km time-trial ahead of Daniel McKenzie and Jack Lonie.

The 21-year-old spent the first stage of his off-season travelling through Europe before returning to Melbourne where he got himself into shape ahead of another long, gruelling summer in Seaford.

“It’s a bit easier I suppose, you learn a bit every year and the things to do in the off-season,” Sinclair told Melbourne radio station 3AW.

“I think I’ve come back in pretty good nick. It’s good to get back, good fun and it’s a different dynamic with just the younger guys.”

With St Kilda’s longest serving skipper Nick Riewoldt passing over the captaincy baton last September, Sinclair believes the Saints are well placed for someone to take over the role and run with it.

“It will be a pretty exciting time and [they’re] big shoes to fill with Nick passing it over,” he said.

“I think he’s (Riewoldt) recognised that it’s probably the right time and in the best interests of the club.

“It’s really exciting for whoever takes on that job and whoever stands alongside them in the leadership group.

“Even blokes like Jack Newnes and Mav Weller have put their hand up [to take over the captaincy].”

On the back of an impressive dash to the finish line in 2016, where the Saints won eight of their final 11 games and finished outside the top-eight on percentage, Sinclair says St Kilda is determined to carry the strong momentum forward.

“I think we’re trying to keep it pretty simple and just keep improving every year,” he said.

“We had a pretty good back half to the year so we want to keep that momentum going. It’s been a really positive atmosphere around the club so far.”