With an abundance of midfield class sitting out Saturday’s clash against North Melbourne, and some departing the game at the main break, the encounter presented an intriguing battle for Tom Curren and St Kilda’s onball department.

Leigh Montagna and David Armitage didn’t make the trip to Wangaratta, whilst 2015 Trevor Barker Award winner Jack Steven, emerging star Jack Billings and versatile utility Sam Gilbert all sat out the second-half as part of their pre-season workload management.

Along with Seb Ross, Jack Newnes, Maverick Weller and Blake Acres, Curren led an inexperienced St Kilda midfield against a North Melbourne unit brimming with A-graders.

The tough midfielder collected 18 possessions and three tackles to be one of the Saints best in the 44-point loss and said despite the inconsistent effort, the test was a great opportunity for the Saints midfield ahead of the premiership season.

“Obviously [Andrew] Swallow, [Ben] Cunnington, [Jack] Ziebell, they’re really good players and proven players. It was good, especially for us younger boys to get in there and compete against them,” Curren told saints.com.au after the loss to North Melbourne.

“When we were good we were pretty strong, but when we were inconsistent they showed us where we were lacking.

“It’s good to test that in the NAB Cup and hopefully tighten it up for a couple of weeks time.”

After playing 16 games in 2014, Curren managed only two senior games last year before suffering a broken leg at Sandringham in late July.

With Round 1 looming on the horizon, the 23-year-old said he has ticked all the boxes during the summer months, giving himself the best opportunity to be a part of Alan Richardson’s plans come the opening round of the season.

“I think I’ve still got a few things to work on. But I’ve been pretty happy with my summer – I haven’t really missed anything,” Curren said.

“I’m feeling pretty fit, so just trying to build some momentum for Round 1 and give the coaches no other choice but to pick me. Hopefully I can do that.

Curren has closely focused on improving his aerobic base over the pre-season and has routinely finished inside the top half a dozen in the time-trials across the summer, as he eyes the interchange cap as something that will benefit his game.

“Just my running ability (has been the focus of the summer). I’m naturally a bit stronger, so it wasn’t as much of a focus for me,” Curren said.

“I just wanted to really work on my running game and obviously with the rotations being shortened this year, the elite runners will stand up and be more chance to play more game time. I want to give myself the best chance and hopefully I’ve done that.”