He’s a working class Dan

Saints’ top recruit relies on work ethic to regain form and fitness

ST KILDA recruit Dan Hannebery says he only has a point to prove to himself and his new team, despite rumblings over his recruitment from Sydney.

The 27-year-old’s form has dipped in recent seasons after a series of groin and calf issues, prompting questions about the risk of his five-year deal.

After a training session with some of the St Kilda youngsters yesterday, Hannebery declared himself injury-free and confident of returning to the form that earned him All-Australian selection three times.

Hannebery, who takes the No.10 jumper worn previously by the likes of champion forward Bill Mohr and Brownlow medallist Neil Roberts, said he had high standards for himself.

“I’m probably the harshest critic of myself with my stan- dards,” Hannebery said.

“No doubt I had a really good run up until the end of 2016 from a games perspective.

“To have two down years was disappointing and I’ve got a point to prove to myself I guess, and certainly the St Kilda boys.

“I really want to try to get back to some really solid form, particularly early in the season, and go from there.”

He said he had lost some weight to ensure he was in peak condition heading into the pre-season, while he had shown some early commitment returning to training a fortnight early.

“You do need a little bit of luck but I’m really confident that with work ethic and some management, I’ll be fine,” he said.

Hannebery said his experience playing against the Saints gave him the belief they were a better team than their 16th-place finish.

“I think Richo (Alan Richardson) is an outstanding coach but they didn’t have a lot of luck last year,” Hannebery said.

“I was really buoyed by their up-and-coming list and I think with a bit of luck with injury and there’s been some good acquisitions off the field with coaches, it doesn’t take much to change it.”