ST KILDA'S mature-age recruit Beau Wilkes looms as a potential sidekick for champion skipper Nick Riewoldt in 2012.

The 25-year-old, who played 23 games for West Coast between 2008 and 2010, was selected by the Saints with pick No. 68 in last month's NAB AFL Draft.

Although Wilkes played mostly as a key defender while at the Eagles, he was moved to the forward line by Claremont coach Simon McPhee midway through this year's WAFL season, and the results were remarkable.

The 194cm and 94kg key position player booted 42 goals in 11 games, and capped his rise by kicking five goals in Claremont's 56-point win over Subiaco in the WAFL Grand Final.

Wilkes won the Simpson Medal for best player on the ground in the decider.

His chances of being re-drafted received a boost when McPhee accepted a role as a development coach at St Kilda.

As a result, the Saints now have a strong West Australian contingent, including new senior coach Scott Watters.

It means Wilkes, who grew up playing for Railways in the southern WA town of Albany, has found it easy to settle in at his new club.

"To be honest, a couple of weeks out from the draft I didn't really think I was a chance, but St Kilda approached me and I jumped at the opportunity to move to Melbourne," Wilkes said after a tough pre-season session at St Kilda beach on Tuesday.

"I'm really looking forward to the opportunity here at St Kilda. I'm really excited."

Wilkes now hopes Watters will give him a chance to prove himself as a forward at the highest level.

"I'd like to think I can play a role at either end, so it's just a matter of wherever the club needs me to play," he said. "I hope I can fulfil a role.

"I got drafted as a forward [by the Eagles] when I was 17.

"I think I worked hard, and my fitness was at a good level there, but I suppose there were a number of guys that were in the same position.

"Guys were in front of me at that point in time. That's what I put it down to.

"And I only played down back there and I think I can play up forward as well."