Tom Nicholls is making huge progress in his comeback from knee surgery, with the Gold Coast ruckman now participating in skills and game simulation.

For the most part this pre-season, Nicholls has been confined to light training sessions, with much of the focus swayed towards cross-training and strength work. 

But last week, for the first time this summer, the agile big man was given the green light by club conditioning staff to join the main training group for a series of testing football drills. 

 “I did my first couple of football drills last week, which was a massive tick for my training,” the 200cm giant told goldcoastfc.com.au.

“For much of the pre-season I’ve been maintaining a strong focus on my conditioning, so it’s pleasing to now start doing more agility work.

“Hopefully I can begin to transfer into more footy-based stuff, and ramp up training even more.”

The Victorian amassed 104 disposals and averaged 23 hit-outs in his eight AFL appearances last season.

With key injuries conspiring against Zac Smith and Charlie Dixon, the lanky giant seized the opportunity to man the middle, boosting his status as the club’s No. 1 ruckman. 

Similar to Jaeger O’Meara, Nicholls has spent the summer scrutinising his stellar 2013 campaign, bent on improving his performances. 

“In terms of improvement I know I can still improve on every aspect of my game,” he said.

“The major things will be my fitness and strength. Many of today’s ruckmen are older and more seasoned than me, so building a more elite conditioning base will help me to compete for longer.”

While overall improvement is at the forefront, Nicholls did reveal he holds ambitions to spend more time in attack this year, eager to join the likes of fellow competition rucks Dean Cox, Tom Bellchambers and Will Minson as serviceable goal-kickers, “I am slowly working on going up forward and being able to take a couple of marks up forward.

“That is certainly a massive focus for me going ahead.”