St Kilda’s emerging group of small-medium sized forwards could play an important role in the Saints ascendance back up the ladder in 2016.

With the departure of Stephen Milne and Adam Schneider in recent years, Alan Richardson will be looking for a greater scoring contribution from the handful of livewire forwards and medium-sized lead-up types he has at his disposal.

Former pick No. 3 Jack Billings had demonstrated his potency around goal in his first two seasons, before his 2015 campaign was derailed with a stress fracture in his shin.

Billings’ future is tipped to be through the middle of the ground, although his goal nous and class should see him spend time across half-forward in 2016.

In his first season at the Saints after crossing from Sydney, mobile forward Tim Membrey played 12 senior games as he fought for a spot inside St Kilda’s forward 50.

The powerfully built Membrey was used in a role as a high half-forward, playing up through the arcs as an option on transition, providing the Saints with a different look in attack, alongside Nick Riewoldt and Josh Bruce.

Cut from the same cloth as Schneider, Jack Lonie comfortably exceeded expectations in his first season, bursting onto the scene and looking at home at AFL level.

His polished left-foot and cool head under pressure quickly saw Lonie become a regular fixture in the Saints’ best 22.

In a similar manner to Lonie, Jack Sinclair thrived in his first season, emerging as a bargain recruit after being taken in the rookie draft. Expect the polished ball user to spend more time in the midfield this season, although with a reduction in interchange rotations, the former rookie could be utilised across half-forward on a regular basis.

Eli Templeton established a cult-like following in his first season before a badly broken arm ended his year in Round 6. Last year, the Tasmanian returned to football, playing six senior games and 14 with Sandringham as he continued his development.

Dynamic livewire forward Darren Minchington put persistent patella tendon issues behind him last year to play a total of 18 games last season, including five in the seniors. The goal sneak played three of the last four, booting three goals in the draw against Geelong in Round 21.

Cameron Shenton has predominantly played down back in his first three seasons at Seaford, but the 25-year-old has trained with the forwards throughout the pre-season and could be utilised as defensive pressure forward this season – a role he played at Norwood in the SANFL before he was drafted by the Saints.