SAM Colquhoun has missed Kane Cornes’s 3km time trial record by just three seconds.
The 21-year-old small midfielder won Monday’s time trial with a personal best time from Kane Mitchell and Tom Clurey.
He was among more than 20 players to set a new personal benchmark during the run, which was the Power’s final time trial before the start of the 2016 season.
Kane Cornes’s legendary performance in the 3km test is widely known - finishing first in the vast majority of time trials he contested - so Colquhoun’s strong showing on Monday morning is particularly impressive.
Cornes’s record stands at 9m:14s.
“I was surprised to win, I thought Kane Mitchell might have me, and Tommy Clurey got me last time as well,” Colquhoun told portadelaidefc.com.au.
“Kenny [Hinkley] said that Kane sent him a text to see how I went, I was pretty surprised to get that close to him.”
Knee back in business
Sam Colquhoun suffered a severe anterior cruciate ligament injury in an SANFL game early in the 2014 season.
He recovered and returned for the 2015 season, where he played six AFL games in addition to the majority of the SANFL season.
Having another clean-out of the knee before returning to the track in November, Colquhoun is comfortable with his body as a new football campaign draws closer.
While he still maintains a specialised program of individual exercises – like all players – he has enjoyed being part of the main training group this summer.
“The knee’s feeling terrific, I had surgery post-season again this year just gone,” Colquhoun said.
“Everything’s settled down again, and the knee’s feeling as good as before I did the ACL.
“I’ve ditched the knee strapping, not having to use that any more is a massive thing for me, it’s just a lot more comfortable.”
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