AFL draftees are gradually introduced into the elite system in their first few months, with their training loads carefully managed by a club’s high performance team before being unleashed after 12 months in the game.

West Australian Josh Schoenfeld is one player thriving under the increased workload and intensity of his second AFL pre-season, enjoying being able to push himself to the limits against far more experienced bodies.

“It’s been good, it’s been solid. I’m doing everything so it’s been fun,” Schoenfeld told SUNS TV.

“We’re not getting held back this time and it’s just good to test yourself against everyone and getting fitter and stronger which is good.”

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“Twelve months ago I was probably seven-eight kilos lighter so I guess I can hold my own against the bigger boys now and that was my aim, really just to get stronger and compete consistently at AFL level.”

Schoenfeld arrived at Metricon Stadium as an endurance king, dominating the two-kilometre time trial each time it was run, with daylight usually separating the 19-year-old and his closest opponent.

But at this Monday morning’s time trial, mature-aged recruit Michael Barlow was hot on Schoenfeld’s heels, pushing the young redhead to run one of the quickest times ever recorded at Carrara. His efforts have drawn praise from many of his teammates with Alex Sexton describing Schoenfeld as ‘flying around the track’.

“We were pretty close the whole way, there was barely any distance between us by the end so it’s good having someone there to really push you along and challenge you on the track as well during training,” Schoenfeld said.

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After four games for the SUNS late in the 2016 season, the Peel Thunder product feels he is more ready for senior footy this year but it won’t be an easy task with a lot of midfield depth being added to the playing list over the off-season.

“I’m more ready now so I feel like I could play at that level. Going into this pre-season I really want to take a big step forward and play NAB games and round one hopefully, see how I go,” Schoenfeld said.

“It’s going to be tough with the amount of boys coming in with a lot of class that got added over the off-season so yeah, (my goal is) just to play as many senior games as possible and try and hold my own and consolidate my spot on the wing.”