St Kilda spearhead Tim Membrey has established himself as a critical component in the Saints’ evolving attack in more ways than one, says Senior Assistant Coach Aaron Hamill.

The 23-year-old followed up his breakout 2016 campaign with another impressive season in front of goal, finishing with a polished 38.14 in front of the big sticks, narrowly edging out Josh Bruce to win back-to-back goalkicking crowns at Linen House Centre.

But while Membrey’s exploits in attack are impressive, it is his growth as a leader that has impressed the Saints most as they transition into the next phase without champion forward Nick Riewoldt, who retired at the end of the season.

“Tim improved on-field in certain areas, but his leadership was outstanding for us given we’re such a young forward line,” Hamill told saints.com.au.

“He’s really good in small groups; in line meetings, there’s a dozen of us and he was really good how he’d embrace the younger players so he grew again in that area. He’s a really good teacher.

“He provides really good leadership for us, he knows the structures well and what we’re trying to do up forward and he plays like we need him to play as a key forward.”

Unlike last year where he booted 20 goals in his first seven appearances, Membrey took a little bit of time to put the runs on the board this year.

After kicking 15 goals in the first 11 games, the former Sydney Swan turned the tide in his favour after the mid-season bye, kicking 23 goals from his last nine starts in a period where he didn’t finish with less than two goals to his name.

“He had a flat spot early on. But certainly from Round 10 onwards he was very good for us in the forward line,” Hamill said.

“His ability to compete, get the ball to ground, follow up and his ability to use his bodywork and really influence the area or influence the contest is significant for us.”

Following such an impressive 2016, where he emerged as one of the most improved key forwards in the competition, the expectation on Membrey was always going to grow in 2017.

Hamill said the Gippsland product managed the heightened expectation with class, focusing on what he could control and that was dotting his i’s and crossing his t’s.

“He was certainly aware of it (the increased expectation) and acknowledged that he had a good year last year and the expectation is only going to increase internally and externally, but he managed that well,” he said.

“It was another good learning year for him in that role. He’s extremely professional with everything that he does and he managed that part of it well by doing what he does best and that’s getting to work.”

2017 Statistics Snapshot:

Games: 20
Goals: 38
Disposals: 12.9
Marks: 6.5
Score involvements: 6.5