After having his first year in the AFL ruined by injury, Alex Forster is hoping a full pre-season can kick-start his career.

The 19-year-old defender admitted 2012 had left him feeling some pressure to play and justify being selected as a relatively high draft pick.

“I just want to get out there and show everyone what I can do,” Forster said.

“The club put faith in me and I want to show them they chose the right bloke.”

The South Australian was Freo’s third pick (No.29) in the 2011 AFL Draft, but almost immediately after walking through the club’s doors, he had to undergo surgery to remove a spur on his hip.

Forster came back mid-season and played eight games for Swan Districts’ reserves side, but he said he felt extremely underdone.

It’s been a different story this time around.

“I’ve done about 85 per cent of pre-season,” he said.

“I was back on day one in November and didn’t miss a session before Christmas.”

The only sessions Forster missed came after Christmas when a bout of tonsillitis kept him on the sidelines.

“It’s been a massive increase on doing nothing last year,” Forster said.

“I’m way ahead of where I was this time last year.”

Forster said he had not had any complications with his hip since the surgery.

He has also undergone some physical and mechanical transformations after a year in the AFL system.

“I’ve put on six kilos, so I had to get used to running around with that on my back,” he said.

“The sports science staff also wanted to make some changes to my running style to help me get through the rigours of being an AFL footballer.

“I feel a lot stronger through the core and, as my running style has changed, my body has become stronger as well.”

Forster, with the guidance of Freo development coach Roger Hayden, has set himself some simple short-term goals rather than look too far ahead.

“It’s just about stacking the sessions and staying fit and available,” he said.