Jade Gresham shines in Saints' AFL hit-out

A one-hour cameo in an intra-club match was enough to settle some nerves for St Kilda star Jade Gresham as he plots a course back to competitive action after two AFL seasons wrecked by injury.

The 24-year-old gun managed just 14 games in that time, with a back stress fracture and ruptured achilles tendon keeping him sidelined for long periods.

He has not played since round three last year, but looms as a key inclusion for the Saints in 2022.

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Gresham has enjoyed a strong summer preparation and produced an impressive display in the Saints' most serious hit-out of the summer so far at RSEA Park on Thursday afternoon.

He spent his two-and-a-bit quarters rotating through the midfield and forward line.

"It was just about getting through today, he was pretty nervous," Saints assistant coach Brendon Lade said.

"We had a good chat and said, 'when the ball's there you win it, that's what you do well, so do that'.

"I think he's starting to get a little bit of confidence back, which is good for us and hopefully it's scary for the opposition."

Gresham will likely play about three quarters of a practice match against Carlton next week and a full game in the pre-season fixture against Essendon next month.

All going well, he will play in round one against Collingwood at Etihad Stadium on March 18.

"He hasn't really missed a beat (over summer)," Lade said.

"Just a few little setbacks here and there, but generally he's been very good and probably improved his running a little bit."

Jack Hayes, Jarrod Lienert and Patrick Naish impressed Lade with their intra-club performances as they vie for the last remaining spots on St Kilda's list.

Experienced midfielder Zak Jones was the standout