Former Collingwood and St Kilda midfielder Nathan Freeman believes his body is ready for AFL football.
The former top-ten pick was delisted by the Saints at the end of 2018 after managing just two games due to constant soft-tissue injuries.
Freeman is now training with Gold Coast in a bid to return to senior footy as a mature-age recruit. He averaged 38 disposals in the VFL in 2021 for Frankston showing that he still has the ability to win the football with ease.
Speaking about his ambitions to return to the elite level, the 26-year-old said he feels like he has plenty to offer the Suns should he be able to secure a spot on the list.
โI suppose once the Hugh Greenwood situation arose at the Suns there was obviously a spot there to be filled and a need for them,โ he toldย Sportsday.
โContact was made and we sort of thought for both parties it was a good idea if I went up and they have the need for a mature midfielder, so thereโs a gap there.
โI suppose thatโs exactly what I am.
โ12 months ago I wasnโt even thinking about getting back in the system, but itโs funny how things happen."
Should Freeman be picked up by the Suns, he would join Charlie Constable as mature age recruits brought in to add some much-needed experience to Gold Coast's midfield.
The star junior footballer said he feels his body is ready to handle the rigours of AFL football this time in.
โI think my body has matured and injuries are a thing of the past, and I can still play and play against AFL players and play well," he said.
โI sort of thought I had a bit more to give, Iโm only 26, I thought itโs a good opportunity to have a crack and the fire still burns, so why not.โ
โIf I could put it (change of fortune with injuries) down to something I would, but itโs more just age and a bit of maturity,โ he continued.
โIโve sort of played in a way and trained in a way that I know works for me and Iโve found things that work.
โIโve probably gone the other way, Iโm probably doing less than what I was when I was in the system the first time.
โItโs probably just a trial-and-error thing, Iโve found exactly what works and I do those things and I donโt need to overdo it or overthink about it.
โIโve been really good the last two or three years, I havenโt had an injury, touchwood.
โThatโs the other thing, if I thought my body wasnโt up to it thereโs no way Iโd be doing it.
โOutside of footy Iโm really content, but the last couple of years the fire burns in you again and I think Iโm way better placed now to make an impact at AFL ladder and be an asset to a club.
โI think in all aspects it makes sense to go back in and have a crack.โ
