Emerging St Kilda leader Jack Newnes took the captaincy reins for the first time in his 69-game career against North Melbourne in Wangaratta in an opportunity the consummate professional thoroughly enjoyed.

In the absence of Captain Nick Riewoldt and a handful of established leaders, Newnes was tossed into the deep end in a great development opportunity for the highly respected 22-year-old.

“I loved it, I loved the experience, it was great,” Newnes told Melbourne radio station SEN on Tuesday morning.

“We obviously had ‘Rooey’, ‘Gears’, ‘Joey’ and a few other senior players out and I got the chance to be the skipper. It was a good experience.”

With 15 of the 26-man squad that faced the Kangaroos having 25 senior games or less next to their name, Newnes’ job was made more difficult by the fact he didn’t have many established players to lean on in the face of battle.

But more than 12 months into his role as a formal leader at Linen House Centre – the youngest member of the eight-man group – Newnes admits he feels far more confident in his ability to lead than he did when he was first elevated to the group.

“I definitely feel more comfortable this year. Last year I probably was a little bit more quiet, a little more nervous,” Newnes said.

“But I’ve definitely found my feet this pre-season and hopefully I can take my leadership to the next level this season and also my football.”

With 33 days until the Saints’ season opener on Easter Sunday at Adelaide Oval, Newnes explained that the NAB Challenge format was an important part of the preparation process and a better alternative than match simulation in training.

“I think its great preparation for Round 1. It’s better than doing pre-season, it drives you crazy just doing training the whole time,” Newnes said.

“So it’s good to have a hit-out against another team rather than your own teammates.

“We had a few positive signs on the weekend – had a pretty disappointing third quarter – but it was good to get a few games into a few young guys who haven’t really had a crack yet. I can’t wait for the next one in MacKay.”

The Saints will return to action in a fortnight’s time against Brisbane in Mackay, before tying a bow around their pre-season when they face Melbourne at Docklands a week later.