The return of Jake Carlisle and the arrival of Nathan Brown in the off-season has significantly strengthened the back six in more ways than one, says St Kilda defender Dylan Roberton.

While former Essendon swingman Carlisle has been gradually integrated back into the main group following hip surgery last year, former Collingwood premiership full-back Brown has been a presence on the track across the first half of the pre-season.

“It’s been really good having those two involved,” Roberton told saints.com.au on Monday morning at Linen House Centre.

“Jake’s still been out of the group a bit with his hip; he’s been working on his running and getting his fitness right. But when he’s out there he’s really engaging and talking really well.

“And it’s the same with Browny; he’s great with his voice and direction; they give you the confidence to be aggressive and play in front.”

St Kilda’s rise from six wins in 2015 to 12 last season saw the Saints improve considerably offensively (+11.8 points), but it wasn’t only there where Alan Richardson’s men improved, with the club conceding 5.3 fewer points per game; a mark which should be reeled in further in 2017 with the inclusions of Carlisle and Brown.

Following a strong finish to 2016, where the Saints won eight of their final 11 games to fall short on a finals berth due to percentage, Roberton says the club has carried that momentum into the pre-season.

“We know that we finished (last season) off really well and we’ve kept that energy I feel,” he said.

“We finished last year not wanting the season to end because we were going really well.

“Everyone was excited to get back (for pre-season) and get stuck into it straight away, and it was the same after the Christmas break. There is a really good feeling around the club at the moment.”