Young Hawks recruit Josh Ward has started his first pre-season with a bang after winning the club’s first time trial of the 2022 pre-season.

It was an impressive performance by the 18-year-old as he heads into his first season with the club after being taken with Pick 7 at the 2021 national draft.

The time trial on Monday was conducted in a new format that saw players run three separate 1km segments with short breaks in between, instead of a traditional 2.2km circuit.

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Tom Phillips won the first round, before Ward finished the last two rounds in front of Finn Maginness.

Ward, who had only joined the club late last month, said he was surprised by his performance.

"It was good, but it was bloody tough," Ward said.

“It's a really good feeling once you finish. I thought I'd be a fair way behind Finn, I haven't really been running a huge amount.

"It was good to set the tone and get a few wins."

Maginness, who won the two back-to-back time trial instalments in 2020, continued to show off his incredible pace and endurance.

Ward was pushed by Maginness throughout, but managed to hold him off in a sprint to the finish.

Changkuoth Jiath, the reigning time-trial winner from last year, did not take part in the run.

Physical Performance Manager Luke Boyd said he was rapt that a first-year player was able to take out the honours.

“It's great to see,” Boyd said.

“Second was Finn, who obviously we expect to be at a high level and he tends to be every year. Both of those boys have done really well."

Boyd said other stand-outs on the day included veteran Liam Shiels - who finished top five within the group - and young ruckman Ned Reeves who beat his previous personal best by a whopping 22 seconds.