In just five senior games 19-year-old Brodie Murdoch has shown the ability to play in a range of positions – an attribute that is likely to hold him in good stead for the remainder of the season.

“I’ve played everywhere,” Murdoch says of his first five games.

Murdoch has spent time in the midfield, as well as the forward line, and is becoming accustomed to playing football at AFL level.

“I’m feeling pretty comfortable everywhere now. I’d probably say a small-medium forward (is where) I’d feel most comfortable playing, but I love playing in the midfield,” he says.

There’s still a lot to learn in the midfield structurally, and things like that, but I think I’ve got the right build to play in the midfield.”

At 187 centimetres and with a build that belies his youth – he looks far more physically mature than most first-year players – Murdoch has the physical attributes to play just about anywhere. Coach Scott Watters has encouraged Murdoch to use his size to bully opponents.

“He wants me to take the game on more,” Murdoch explains.

“He wants me to use my strength and my size to my advantage and really take players on, and get my tackle count up.”

The 19-year-old had five tackles in Sunday’s loss to Fremantle, and in a short time has proven he’s a combative footballer. In his five games so far, he has won more contested than uncontested possessions. The former- South Australian is growing in confidence by the week, but admits his first year of AFL has not been without its challenges.

“Two or three weeks ago I was struggling a little bit, physically and mentally. I was missing home a bit and things like that. But they’ve given me a couple of days to get a bit fresher and I think the last couple of weeks I’ve coped a lot better.”

The youngster is now feeling more comfortable off the field, and his performances on game-day are improving as a result.

 “I’m gradually getting better and better,” says Murdoch.

“I get better with confidence so the more games I play, (the more) I’m going to keep improving. I’m loving it so far.”

As Murdoch’s confidence continues to grow, so too does the confidence of St Kilda’s more senior players, who are sharing more on-field responsibility with the younger Saints each week.

“All the senior guys are taking us under their wing. The last couple of weeks we’ve started to play a little bit more consistently. The older boys start to trust you a little bit more and use you a little bit more and bring you into the game.”

Murdoch admits playing with some of his childhood heroes was a daunting prospect at first.

“It’s a little bit surreal sometimes. You stop and think for a second who you’re playing with. After a while you get used to it, and as they get to know you they get more comfortable around you, but at stages you do sit back and go, ‘wow, look who I’m playing with’.”

In round 18, Murdoch is aware of the possibility of playing against an opponent he’s more familiar with: his brother Jordan, who plays for Geelong.

“Before we got drafted, my hometown sort of thought it would be a bit of a dream come true; us both playing against each other in opposite teams, so hopefully we both get picked for that game, because we’ve both sort of been in and out of the side.”

But Murdoch hasn’t discussed the prospect with his brother, and isn’t looking too far ahead. After an improved team performance last Sunday, Murdoch is confident the Saints can make life difficult for the Blues on Saturday night.

“There were no injuries this week so the boys feel really good and fresh. They were jumping around today so I reckon we can bring that intensity again and have a good crack and hopefully beat them twice for the year.”