St Kilda small forward Jack Lonie is leaving no stone unturned this summer as he looks to become a permanent fixture in Alan Richardson’s forward line this year.
Despite eye-catching
Senior Assistant Coach Rohan Welsh says Lonie has risen up the depth chart this pre-season, in one of the most highly sought-after positions on St Kilda's list.
“He knew he was playing good footy in the VFL, but guys that were playing in his role in the AFL were playing well. He’s probably ahead of a lot of guys right now,” Welsh told saints.com.au on Friday afternoon.
“If he gets in there and gets his opportunity early on and makes the most of his opportunities as a small forward then he’ll stay in the team.
“He doesn’t necessarily have to kick three goals every game, but if he’s pressure on, tackling, creating turnovers and we’re scoring then he’s doing his job. And if he’s doing that early on then it will be hard for him to get out of the team."
Welsh said the 21-year-old had taken significant strides with his running across the past month.
In St Kilda's opening 3km time-trial of the new year, Lonie equalled his personal best time around the track at Seaford to underline his aerobic improvements this summer.
“He had a little bit of work to do when he came back, but he’s been working really hard in the last four or five weeks and been really impressive in that area,” Welsh said.
“He’s now got himself in a position where he can get up and back and be really dangerous around the forward line.
“The thing for ‘Lones’ was always going to be if he’s got to be fit enough to get up and back and possibly even go into the midfield if needed.”
After playing 27 games in his first two years at Linen House Centre, Lonie added 12 more to his name in 2017. Now, the pocket rocket will be out for more in 2018.
