2015 was an enormous year for St Kilda ball magnet David Armitage. The Queenslander not only produced a career-best season, he also committed his future to the club by signing a three-year contract extension, tying him to the Saints until the end of 2019.

After building his name as bullocking inside midfielder, Armitage shed some size from his frame last summer, and in the process increased his outside run to balance his game and become a more potent, all round weapon.

The 27-year-old burst out of the blocks last season, collecting 30 or more disposals in seven of the opening nine games of the year, including a career-high 45 possessions to lead the Saints to a remarkable come-from-behind victory over the Western Bulldogs in round six.

Whilst he didn’t quite maintain the leather acquiring rage across the entire season - not many do unless their name is Gary Ablett or Dane Swan - Armitage put together a stunning 2015 campaign to emerge as one of Alan Richardson’s key contributors.

The game breaker played all 22 games in 2015, averaging 28.4 possessions (2^nd most at St Kilda), 12.4 contested possessions (1^st), 6.2 clearances (1^st) and 6.0 tackles (2^nd), to finish runner-up behind Jack Steven in the Trevor Barker Award.

Alongside Steven, Armitage led an emerging midfield group that still boasts the class and experience of Leigh Montagna, but also has a wave of youth coming through the ranks to help lead the club into the future.

With both, Armitage and Steven leading the way, not just on-field but in terms of committing to the club long-term, the Saints have two fine role models to chaperone the clubs future into the next phase.