Budding St Kilda first-round draftee Jade Gresham is six games into his career at the Saints and says he is growing in confidence and improving by the week.

Gresham, 18, made his debut against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval in Round 1 and has since played six of the opening nine games of the season, including the last month where he has slotted in predominantly inside 50 as a pressure applying forward.

“Yeah I am feeling a bit more confident. I feel like I’m improving every week. I feel like I’m getting used to the pace of the game and I feel like I am getting better every week,” Gresham told saints.com.au on Wednesday.

“So I’m mainly playing in the forward line as a small forward. So I’ve just got to keep my pressure up. I’m going into the midfield a little bit too. I’m enjoying my role in the forward line and chopping out in the midfield as well.”

Now more than six months into his life in the AFL, the former Northern Knights captain revealed he has sponged information from another former Knight in St Kilda veteran Leigh Montagna during his infancy.

“‘Joey’ Montagna’s been very good with us younger boys, helping us out, giving us a few tips here and there – he’s been really good. All the older boys and the coaches have been really good,” Gresham said.

Gresham admits adjusting from underage football to a professional environment has been a challenge from a physical perspective. But under the guidance of high performance manager Matt Hornsby, recovery has become a key component of his week.

“Matt Hornsby and the fitness staff manage us well – they’re really good. You’ve just to keep hitting the recovery protocols, getting in the ice baths, stretching, that kind of thing,” Gresham said.

Round 10 of this season has been renamed in honour of Sir Doug Nicholls to celebrate and recognise the significant contribution indigenous Australian’s have made to the game.

Gresham is the only current Saint with an indigenous background, through his mother’s side of the family, and says his heritage is special to him.

“My Mum’s indigenous, she’s from the Yorta Yorta tribe in Shepparton. It’s really important to me. So hopefully get out there this week and represent my family and friends,” Gresham said.