A trio of Jack’s – Steele, Sinclair and Billings – and Blake Acres have set the pace over the first month of the pre-season, according to St Kilda midfielder Luke Dunstan.
St Kilda’s first to fourth-year players returned to training two weeks before the remainder of the list and have driven the first phase of the summer program.
“We’ve been nearly back for five weeks now so we’re well and truly back into it,” Dunstan told journalists at Linen House Centre on Friday.
“So far the vibe at the club and feel has been really good; we’re loving being back together.
“Jack Steele, Jack Sinclair and Jack Billings – the three Jacks – and Blake Acres as well –the third and fourth-year guys have really taken it upon ourselves to step up and move up with our leadership now that ‘Rooey’ and ‘Joey’ have gone.
“Everyone is having a really good crack.”
With Nick Riewoldt and Leigh Montagna in the early stages of retirement, opportunities have presented for younger players to step up in their absence.
Dunstan, who overcame a challenging first half of 2017 to finish the season with a full head of steam, said the Saints’ younger leaders had risen to the challenge and
“‘Rooey’ and ‘Joey’ have obviously left the club; two superstar players who have been such good players for so long, but at the same time it opens up opportunities for young guys like myself to step up with leadership,” Dunstan said.
“We think we’re in a really good spot with our depth. We know that there are guys who have really come on in the back half of last year; guys like Jack Sinclair and Blake Acres really improved. We’re confident that we’re ready to take the next step.”
