Four hamstring injuries, two in each leg, cost Max Duffy any chance of making an impact in his first season at AFL level last year.

The 20-year-old forward, selected with pick 39 in the 2012 National Draft, was the only player on Fremantle’s senior list in 2013 to not make an AFL debut.

A number of factors were contributing to his hamstring issues, including technique flaws in his running and a lack of strength in his legs and core regions.

But Duffy said the club’s strength and conditioning staff have helped him correct those areas.

“We’ve focussed on a lot of strength work through my legs and my core and also looked at correcting my running technique and lifting technique,” he said.

“That’s helped me develop strength around the legs and the hips and that has helped me take a bit of weight off the hamstrings.”

Duffy is confident the work he’s done with Freo’s fitness staff since the end of last season has him primed to show what he’s capable of in 2014.

“I’m feeling good, I haven’t missed a session since the back end of last year,” he said.

“I’ve gotten through everything and the hamstring tests have given me positive feedback.

“I’m just happy to be consistently out there at the moment.”

Duffy has made a strong start to the 2014 pre-season, something he credits his extra work in the off-season for.

While clubs do not expect players to remain in full training during their break periods, Duffy knew he had a lot of catching up to do because of his compromised season.

“I realised at the end of last year that I’ve got a lot of work to do,” he said.

“If I want to start pushing for selection then I’ve got to start working a bit harder, so I took it upon myself to go into the club and train.”

Duffy is aware he was the only senior listed player not to debut in 2013, but that doesn’t bother him at all.

He said he only had one focus for the 2014 season.

“All I can do is train and work as hard as I possibly can and do everything that I can right,” he said.

“At the end of the day, if I get a game, I get a game, but I’m more focussed on consistent training and gym work and then, after that, hopefully, the results will come.”