Olympic runner pushes Saints as they aim to go the distance in 2022
ST KILDA will have no excuses for a slow start next year after being put through their paces by Olympian Stewart McSweyn.
The 1500m Tokyo finalist is a lifelong Saints fan and joined a training session at Trevor Barker Oval on Friday.
During one exercise he gave the St Kilda players a 80m headstart in a 500m race, only to beat them all home except for speedy winger Brad Hill.
“As much as I enjoy coming down and helping the boys out with training, I get a lot out of seeing the work they put in,” the 26-year-old King Islander said.
Star midfielder Jack Billings said the opportunity to match strides with an Olympian was a big positive for the group.
“For our group, the ability to have that cross-sport competition at the highest level is always a really good experience,” he said.
“We can learn so many things off each other, especially in a team sport versus track and field which is individual most of the time.”
Billings added he was “feeling really good” after carrying a few injuries last season, and said getting back to full health had been his main goal in the off-season.
The 144-game player, who is entering his ninth season in the AFL, said his decision to extend his contract until 2025 was due to his commitment to the club and its future.
“I’m really excited about what we’re building,” Billings said.
The former third overall draft pick hinted at the possibility he could change roles.
“I guess forward of centre next year is an option, but I like being flexible so we’ll wait and see,” he said.