The loss of Nick Riewoldt was always going to be a massive loss for St Kilda’s forward line.

But Tim Membrey – just 23 at the time – would never have expected he’d be bearing such a hefty weight in the first year of the club champion’s absence.

With Josh Bruce out of the side through injury for almost all of 2018 and Paddy McCartin similarly going down in Round 15 after a 12-goal season, Membrey was left as St Kilda’s sole, experienced key forward.

READ: 2019 leadership group announced

They were unfamiliar surrounds for Membrey, who had always been flanked by the likes of Bruce, McCartin and before that, the revered Riewoldt, whose legendary status never saw the ex-Swan as the focal point of the offence.

And while Rowan Marshall and Josh Battle helped plug the holes as the Saints’ tall timber, Membrey’s experience off the back of a stellar two years left him as the unrehearsed leader of St Kilda’s attack.

“It was something I had to adapt to quite quickly, but I had a lot of good people around me,” Membrey told saints.com.au.

“I had a lot of smaller forwards who were causing a bit of havoc like Jade Gresham and Jack Lonie towards the end of the season, but I had a lot of support from ‘Gears’ and Sebby Ross throughout.”

In a way, it grew my leadership and I had to take on a bit more of a leadership role.”

The absence of Bruce and McCartin forced the 24-year-old to step up to the plate in a massive way, and following an atypical 8.15 scorecard prior to Round 11, Membrey found his range to finish with 34 goals for the season.

Now, Membrey’s efforts in such adverse circumstances have allowed him to bring his leadership skills to the fore in an official capacity as part of St Kilda’s leadership team for 2019.

Although he attributes his selection to luck due to his trademark humility, there’s no denying the profound impact he left upon the playing group following a torrid year.

But in his eyes, the added responsibility won’t impact the way Membrey approaches the upcoming season, with the modest mantra of ‘business as usual’ clearly on the agenda.

“It’s obviously a great honour to be in the leadership group, but for me I guess nothing has to change too dramatically,” Membrey said.

PRESSER: Membrey on new leadership role

“The boys voted and I got lucky enough to get in there, and I didn’t have to change too much – and I won’t change too much – in the way I go about it.”

“I’m sure there will be different types of roles throughout the year that I’ll have to take on, but I think I’m ready for that and it will help me take the next step forward.”