FIRST-year player Luke Dunstan isn’t short of confidence. Nor does he lack skill, toughness or leadership credentials. It’s these qualities which hold him in good stead ahead of the 2014 season - his first in Saints colours.

“I’m looking to play games but I will sit down with the coaches and work that out,” he told SAINTS.com.au following Saturday’s intra-club practise match at Linen House Centre.

The summer couldn’t have gone much better for the South Australian, who was on a plane to Boulder, Colorado just days after St Kilda selected him with pick 18 in November’s National Draft.

“I’ve been really happy. I haven’t really had any injury setbacks which has been good. I’ve done the majority of the work that all the other first years have.”

An inside midfielder who has already tasted senior football in the SANFL, it was Dunstan’s run and carry that shone in Saturday’s sweltering conditions. Like all players, he was eager to impress Alan Richardson and overcame some early nerves to put in a solid performance.

“I had a few nerves to start with but you sort of work into the game a little bit. I’ve got a lot of things to work on but overall I was happy,” he said.

“Things like team defence, running patterns and those sorts of things. Hopefully I can work on them over the next few weeks and start to improve.”

The 19-year-old is well aware the pace and intensity of the game will only increase from here on in, and can’t wait to get stuck into the NAB Challenge games before pitting himself against the best in the season proper.

“It was a pretty big step up from what all the training sessions have been. It will go up again round one in the NAB Cup and then again round one in the season. It’s just good to get out there, have a bit of a hit out and blowout I think.”
 

You can follow Tom Morris on Twitter: @tommorris32