With Round 1 only days away and the 2016 pre-season campaign firmly in the bank, now is as good a time as any to review the maiden summers of St Kilda’s 2015 draftees.

Of the five players taken across the two drafts late last year, two were exposed to senior football during the NAB Challenge series, with first-round pick Jade Gresham featuring in both games and rookie defender Nick Coughlan playing in the opening clash against North Melbourne.

Saints Senior Coach Alan Richardson says all five draftees completed approximately 75 per cent of the pre-season program, with Bailey Rice the only player to miss a portion of the summer due to a mild bout of glandular fever.

Richardson on Jade Gresham – Pick No. 18

“‘Gresh’ has had a strong pre-season; he’s quite a powerful player already. Whilst he’s not a tall guy he’s a strong build, he’s got really powerful legs. Whilst he hasn’t played a lot of footy yet, I thought he’s shown he’s got the ability to be able to cope with the intensity and the physicality of the game at AFL level. We’ve been excited by what he’s shown. It hasn’t been a lot but what we’ve seen has been impressive – his ball use, his want to get after the opposition and harass them, his agility, clean hands under pressure.”

Richardson on Brandon White – Pick No. 40

“He definitely looks like he’s added size since he got here. But his focus has been more on the running and his endurance. He’s quite quick, so he’s got good speed. And he too, he’s quite aggressive. He’s pretty disciplined, really good with his concentration. Most of the footy he’s played in our match simulation has been across half-back and that will continue - that’s our plan. He’s applied himself well to the program, he’s commitment has been impressive.”

Richardson on Bailey Rice – Pick No. 49

“Bailey’s got a bit of work to do, but it’s been a pre-season full of promise. Glandular fever obviously interrupted his training. But he’s going to be an aggressive player; he’s a very physical player which we like of course. He’s a boy that’s a good kick of the footy which is important. He looks like he reads the play well in terms of being able to mark the ball and this is predominantly across half back. And whilst he hasn’t played a lot and in the games he’s played he hasn’t been dominant, he’s shown glimpses of what the recruiters saw in him prior to the draft.”

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Nick O’Kearney – Rookie Pick No. 5

“He’s a kid that even prior to joining our program understands what it looks like to get the best out of himself with respect to diet, weights training, punctuality etc. He’s been really impressive. He’s not a big guy so he’s going to need to put on size, but that’s fine we knew that when we drafted him. He’s been able to find a bit of the footy in the match simulation stuff we’ve done. To some extent he’s already earned some respect because of the way he goes about it and that’s always important for first-year players or new players to do. He’s done that.”

Nick Coughlan – Rookie Pick No. 23

“‘Cougho’ played against the Kangaroos and did a pretty good job. We’re playing him down back at the moment. He wins the ball in the air. He’s a good user of the ball, he’s a good size. He needs to continue to put on more size to his frame. He’s been really positive – he’s probably been a bit of a surprise packet to be honest. He’s a year older than the other draftees, so he’s probably a bit more aware of the expectations – he’s been in a program that’s semi-professional having played a bit of footy at Footscray VFL.”