36, 33, 32, 31, 31, 37 and 30.
They are the numbers Seb Ross has accumulated in the last seven weeks, in a time frame where only three other players have found more of the ball.
It’s the kind of form that has prompted some experts to declare that the 24-year-old from Ballarat has entered the elite bracket of midfielders in the competition in 2017.
After playing every game in a breakout season last year, Ross has reached new heights in the first half of this season.
Established midfield star Jack Steven, the man who has won three of the last four Trevor Barker Awards, says Ross has been fuelled by belief this season, helping him take the next step.
“He’s confident in his own ability to do it every week and that’s really showing in his footy,” Steven told saints.com.au this week.
“I think he’s really believing in himself and I think last year has really helped with that – he had a great year and played every game.
“I think he’s really grown off that confidence which is really great to see.”
Steven, who has experienced an eventful first half of the season, says the inclusion of big-bodied midfielders Koby Stevens and Jack Steele has improved the Saints engine room and will continue to get better with more experience.
“They’ve been really influential,” he said.
“Kobe’s gives us that hard edge and ‘Steeley’ is just a tackling machine and he’s really clean as well.
“We’re a young group but I reckon we’re improving with each game we play together.”
