GEELONG midfielder George Horlin-Smith's standout pre-season has continued, finishing third in the club's 15-minute time trial on Wednesday morning.

The time trial contained few surprises, with Mark Blicavs taking out the event in warm conditions at the Geelong Grammar school.

Mature-aged rookie Sam Menegola – who previously spent time on Hawthorn and Fremantle's list without playing a game – placed second in the run.

The Cats decided to use the 15-minute test and the 2.2km shuttle run to gauge the players' fitness, rather than rely on the traditional 2km or 3km time trial prior to Christmas.

Along with promoted rookie Michael Luxford, Horlin-Smith, 22, has been one of the standouts in the running-based training during the Cats' pre-season.

The midfielder came back from his off-season break, part of which he spent in Noosa for a triathlon event in late October, in top nick and with a willing attitude.

Horlin-Smith was dropped twice and played just seven games for the Cats in 2015 with a knee injury and inconsistent form at senior level hampering him.

The onballer – who is contracted until the end of 2018 – will be doing everything he can to break into a bolstered midfield after the acquisitions of Patrick Dangerfield and Scott Selwood.

Menegola, who has recently been confined to the rehab group with a groin strain, excels in endurance events.

The 23-year-old topped the field when he registered a 14.13 beep test result at the state screening in Western Australia in October.

Blicavs, Geelong's reigning best and fairest winner, is likely to spend more time as a permanent midfielder in 2016.

With Rhys Stanley (foot) and Mitch Clark (calf) sidelined, the 198cm big man – who has now played 66 career games –spent the last part of the season playing mainly one-out in the ruck.

But that is set to change with the recruitment of Zac Smith and a healthy Nathan Vardy, as well as Stanley, expected to lead the ruck charge.