Three months have now passed since Jade Gresham’s lifelong dream became a reality. Ever since his name was read out by AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan at last November’s Draft, stamping his papers to St Kilda, the ball-magnet from Melbourne’s inner north has swiftly immersed himself into the furniture at Linen House Centre.

In Wangaratta last weekend, Gresham made his first appearance in red, white and black in the Saints’ opening NAB Challenge clash against North Melbourne. The teenager looked comfortable at the level, collecting 11 touches in an encouraging first outing that showed off his clean hands and clever decision making.

“Ever since I was a little kid running out the front and having a kick with Dad I’ve always wanted to play AFL,” Gresham told Crocmedia’s SportsDay.

“So just to get an opportunity to get drafted to the Saints, it has been unreal.

“I’ve really enjoyed it and all the boys have been good blokes. I’m just loving life at the moment.”

It mightn’t be the real thing just yet, but Gresham’s encouraging debut at Norm Minns Oval demonstrated that the Northern Knights product can handle the step up in pace and intensity.

“It was definitely the quickest game I’ve ever played in. But I slowly got into it and thought I adapted pretty well and got used to the pace pretty well,” Gresham said.

During his short time in Seaford, Gresham said that emerging midfielders Mav Weller and Seb Ross have both set the example in how to prepare and train at a high standard, day after day, providing the latest crop of draftees with ideal role models.

“Mav Weller and Sebby Ross are pretty good trainers, they lead the way and train really hard, so I think all the boys look up to them and how hard they train,” he said.

It may only be a small sample size so far, but the signs are bright for last year’s first round pick, who has also produced an impressive maiden pre-season on the track to lay the foundations for a good first year at St Kilda.