Almost 12 months ago, St Kilda midfielder Seb Ross's impressive pre-season was brought to a frustrating end after he suffered a serious hamstring injury during a NAB Challenge game. The mishap forced him to miss the opening half of 2015.

A year on, and after fighting back to play ten games across the back nine of last season, Ross produced an emphatic first-up performance in St Kilda’s 44-point NAB Challenge loss to North Melbourne, putting his hand up for a spot in Alan Richardson’s Round 1 side.

The 22-year-old collected a game-high 26 possessions – eight more than any other player on the ground – five tackles and four inside 50s to be St Kilda’s most effective player in Wangaratta.

After dealing with the disappointment of long-term injury in 2015, Ross told saints.com.au he had focused on finding continuity with his training during the summer months at Linen House Centre in a bid to ensure he gets to the starting line in a healthy condition.

“I haven’t missed too many training sessions over the pre-season – that was one of my goals to have a really strong pre-season. And to play every game in the NAB Cup,” Ross said after the Saints’ opening clash of the pre-season.

“(I want to) really set myself up and hopefully that holds me in good stead for the rest of the year.”

The North Ballarat product was part of a youthful midfield department that came up against a high-quality North Melbourne onball unit comprising three-time Syd Barker medallist Andrew Swallow, Ben Cunnington, Jack Ziebell, Brent Harvey and one of the best recruits of last season Shaun Higgins.

With Leigh Montagna and David Armitage not playing, and Jack Steven and Jack Billings rested in the second half, the Saints asked an inexperienced engine room to go head-to-head with class and experience.

In adverse circumstances, Ross led the way, along with Mav Weller and stand-in-skipper Jack Newnes, but it wasn’t enough as the Roos' midfield got on top after the main break.

“We took in a pretty young group today – I was probably one of the older ones. I’ve got a few more years’ experience, so I probably had to lead by example for the younger blokes,” Ross said.

“I thought Mav Weller, Jack Newnes stood up – all those sort of older blokes – Tommy Curren. We sort of had to show the younger guys the way.”

In the absence of Nick Riewoldt, Newnes was handed the captaincy duties for the first time by the leadership group in a strong indication of how highly rated he is internally.

Ross lauded Newnes’ leadership in trying circumstances, particularly given the fact 15 of the 26 players had played 25 or less games of AFL football, with Newnes only having 69 next to his name as well.

“Newnesy’s one of our toughest players. He’s someone that really leads by example. He’s a really good communicator with the younger blokes,” Ross said.

“He’s got that good balance between having a good relationship with the older blokes and the younger blokes, so he’s a good sounding board for everyone.

“He just leads by example, puts his head over the footy and tackles really hard.”