Nathan Freeman six weeks away from return to footy

ST KILDA says Nathan Freeman is making strong progress in his battle to strengthen weak hamstrings despite being six weeks from a return to AFL footy.

New St Kilda recruit Nathan Freeman at Moorabin Oval, Melbourne. 26th November 2015. Picture: Colleen Petch.

ST KILDA says Nathan Freeman is making strong progress in his battle to strengthen weak hamstrings despite being six weeks from a return to AFL footy.

The Saints made a huge investment into Jake Carlisle and ex-Collingwood speedster Freeman, with the key defender banned and Freeman still not ready for AFL football.

Senior coach Alan Richardson said Freeman was five to six weeks away, adamant he would overcome two years of continual injury.

Football boss Jamie Cox said Freeman was finally back in full training with no setbacks since pulling sore in December.

He said St Kilda wanted to eradicate his hamstring concerns forever rather than constantly deal with recurring issues.

“He trained virtually fully yesterday (Thursday) and we had a pretty competitive day and he was on the track for a fair bit of it if not all of it,’’ he said.

“It was almost full match simulation and he’s going well. The only setback was before Christmas. He has been going really strongly and I spoke to him yesterday.

“He’s got a real spring in his step. We need to get as much conditioning into him and it’s exciting at the moment. Hopefully that’s the way it remains.”

Nathan Freeman is back in full training. Picture: Michael Klein

St Kilda re-signed star midfielder Leigh Montagna on a one-year deal, guaranteeing the 32-year-old a 16th season in 2017.

Free agents Sean Dempster and Nick Riewoldt both have deals that expire this year but are no hurry to start contract talks.

Veteran defender Dempster finished third in the club’s best and fairest award last year, while Saints champion Riewoldt seems destined to play on.

But the Saints and both players will ease into the season first before considering deals, keen for both to play next year.

Running machine Montagna will play his 250th game in Round 1 against Port Adelaide and has shown no signs of slowing down.

The 32-year-old had played nine consecutive seasons of 20-plus games before last season’s 17-game season for the Saints.

“I am really excited about the journey we are on as a team and happy to continue to be part of it,” Montagna said.

“It’s also a great show of faith from the club to sign me up and have faith in my body and ability to keep playing for another couple of seasons.”

The Saints will take on Brisbane on Sunday, with Riewoldt, David Armitage, Montagna, Jarryn Geary and Sam Fisher all playing their first match of the NAB Challenge.