Exciting youngsters Kade Kolodjashnij and Sean Lemmens have firmly cemented themselves as senior AFL football players, and their fellow 2013 draftee is showing promising signs he might not be far off the pace. 

First round selection, Jack Leslie has succeeded from having a modified training program, with the club’s high performance staff opting to manage the developing 18-year-old into the always-testing AFL environment, given his transition from junior football.

“It has been a big step up, pretty much going from local footy where you train at night time on a school night to coming in to a full-time sports job,” Leslie told goldcoastfc.com.au.

“With a bigger body it took a bit more time to develop but I think we’ve managed it really well.”

But the former Gippsland bolter says he has benefited immensely from the modified program, and is confident his conditioning gains will only strengthen his on-field chances this season. 

“I had to manage my load a fair bit coming into a full-time training program,” he said.

“So I started out by completing a lot of swimming, boxing and bike riding, before transitioning to more athletic development.”

After weeks of isolated training, Leslie is back to full training once again, completing Wednesday’s main training session alongside the playing list. 

Exciting for SUNS members and fans, Leslie moved extremely well for his mountainous size, showcasing blistering pace and destructive force at 199cm and 94kgs.

He says he’s looking forward to beginning his charge towards a senior debut through the club’s NEAFL development program.

“I’ll be back to full training next week, so hopefully I’ll be able to start playing consistent football soon.”