With the honeymoon phase now over for the draft class of 2015 and the new year in full swing, St Kilda senior coach Alan Richardson has been impressed by the work rate and attitude of the club’s five new draftees as they continue to embark on life in the AFL system.
First-round draftee Jade Gresham, father-son recruit Bailey Rice and speedy defender Brandon White, along with new rookies Nick O’Kearney and Nick Coughlan, will be looking to prove themselves in the lead-in to the NAB Challenge series, as the training intensity increases over the next six weeks.
Richardson is pleased with the progress of the Saints’ latest crop of players, labelling them a strong football group with a thirst for work and a sound aptitude for absorbing information.
“They’re going well. From what we’ve seen so far they have shown a great appetite and attitude to do the work and that’s all we can ask at this stage,” Richardson told saints.com.au.
“We’ve got a really talented group, and we have been impressed with the development of their kicking skills.
“They’re still building on their conditioning, as with any young player who first steps in to an AFL program, but overall they’re going well. We’ve liked what we’ve seen so far.”
St Kilda marches into 2016 with positive momentum following a number of recent key off-field achievements. Prior to Christmas, the club announced it was relocating back to its iconic home base at Moorabbin, signed another major sponsor in Pepper Money and broke its pre-Christmas membership record.
Richardson is certain all of these off-field achievements have an impact on the playing group, particularly on the senior players who have been around the club for more than a decade and experienced all the ups and downs.
“For the guys who have been around for three or four years, certainly for those who have been around for longer like [Nick] Riewoldt and [Leigh] Montagna, that has a real influence,” Richardson said.
“(Off-field momentum has) a really positive influence on their psyche, and whilst we’re in this rebuilding stage it is incredibly encouraging that some significant partners and members have voted with their feet and want to get on board and be part of the journey.”
The Saints returned to pre-season training on Wednesday following the Christmas break, and now move into a more intense football focused phase as the NAB Challenge series draws nearer.
