ST KILDA ruckman Ben McEvoy is well aware that the man he has replaced in the side has had a big part to play in his own development.

McEvoy has established himself as St Kilda's second-string ruckman this season, taking the place of Steven King who will retire at season's end.

But McEvoy, the Saints' first-round selection in the 2007 NAB AFL Draft (No.9 overall) says King has been far from bitter about his predicament and has instead poured hours into his protégé.

"Kingy's been a massive help to me since the day I walked through the door. We got here at the same time. He is a very experienced player and he is very good at what he does," McEvoy said.

"He's been in the situation before. He played last year and went through it with Geelong. He is a very good character around the club."

However, McEvoy says he has received just as much tutelage from the Saints' No.1 ruckman Michael Gardiner, with whom he'll work with on Saturday.

"He's played a really big role this year for me as well. Playing with him and that game day presence shows how he bears the grunt of the load in the ruck," he said.

"He's very sure of his own preparation, what he needs to do and how to play his role in the team. It's been good to be able to play with him."

McEvoy, James Gwilt, Robert Eddy and Fremantle recruit Brett Peake are the only four members of last week's preliminary final side who didn't play in the 2009 grand final.

Injured pair Steven Baker and Raphael Clarke, the departed Luke Ball and King have gone out of the side.

Gwilt, who played 15 games last year before missing the finals series, says the pain of watching on has been a crucial springboard for his own improvement.

"I took it pretty hard last year and it spurred me on and made me commit to getting fitter and stronger," he said.

"I'm a bit the same as Benny Mac (McEvoy). We weren't in the side last year and it was pretty heart-breaking sitting in the stands watching the boys go down by a kick. I'm really happy we're playing this year and I'm pumped for the week ahead."

The defender says he is bracing himself for Collingwood's intense forward pressure that they used with such effect against Geelong last week.

"Watching them on Friday night, their frontal pressure was full-on. We've just got to make sure our ball use is spot-on and try to take them on a bit," he said.

"I'm concentrating on my ball use, getting back in numbers to help out and win the contest."

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