Touted as one of the biggest improvers this pre-season, young Western Australian Harrison Marsh is on track for a big second year at the Sydney Swans.

The 19-year-old, who was recruited to the Swans via pick 44 in the 2012 National Draft, returned to the club in November in top shape and was one of the standouts in the three kilometre time trial in week one of pre-season.

Not only did Marsh post his first top ten finish in the run, he smashed his previous personal best time.

“I managed to beat my PB by 32 seconds from last season, so I was pretty rapt with that,” Marsh told sydneyswans.com.au.

“The coaches have been really good and I think they’ve been pretty happy with the condition I’ve come back in.

“If I can keep building on my fitness and keep doing all of the extras and that kind of thing, it will pay off.

“I’m just pumped to be back out there and I’m hoping that I can just keep knocking time off.”

Marsh’s improvement comes after a disappointing end to the 2013 season, which saw him miss the majority of the second half of the year with a hamstring injury.

“It was a really frustrating injury which was just a bit of a niggle, I guess, but I got pulled out halfway through the season so I could focus on the year ahead,” Marsh said about his injury.

“It was a bit frustrating but at the same time I could understand what the overall plan was, so I was more than happy to sit out with that in mind.”

After missing out on the Swans reserves finals series, including the NEAFL Eastern Conference premiership victory, Marsh returned home to Perth over the off-season and worked hard to ensure he was in the best shape possible for the season ahead.

With ambitions to play in the Swans midfield, Marsh said his off-season focus was to increase his running capacity and strength.

“I wanted to come back in good shape so I did a lot of swimming and off-legs work on the bikes and things like that on top of the running component on my off days,” Marsh said.

“I followed my program with all the running aspects because they were important, particularly because I was injured for most of last season.

“I did a couple of hours of that every day and I think it’s starting to pay off.”

AFL was certainly the focus in the Marsh household over the off-season, with Harrison’s younger brother Jonathon picked up by Collingwood at pick 77 in the 2013 National Draft.

Marsh said he was thrilled for his younger brother, but said Jonathon’s recruitment to the Pies created even more headaches for his Western Australian-based parents.

“My little brother, he ended up getting drafted to Collingwood, which was really good, and I was really happy for him and I know he’s stoked to be there,” he said.

“My parents were really stoked, although I’m not too sure who they are going to go for now.

“I think Mum will still be a Fremantle supporter but I think she’s a bit torn at the moment.”