IT has been a while since St Kilda has developed a ruckman from scratch.

Peter Everitt was the last man to build a career with the Saints before joining Hawthorn and then the Sydney Swans.

Since Everitt’s departure at the end of 2002, the Saints have tried a host of players from other clubs with varying degrees of success.

Cain Ackland, Barry Brooks, Trent Knobel, Matthew Capuano and Matthew Clarke have come and gone while Steven King, Michael Gardiner and former Hawthorn listed player Michael Rix are now holding the fort.

But it might not be too long before the Saints see one of their developing projects come through the ranks and become an AFL ruckman.

Ben McEvoy was taken with the club’s first pick in last year’s NAB AFL Draft, his 200cm frame bringing relief to St Kilda fans that have been crying out for a ruckman for years.

McEvoy spent much of last year playing both up forward and in the ruck with the Murray Bushrangers in the TAC Cup.

He has been used in both positions this year with St Kilda’s VFL affiliate the Casey Scorpions, but he says he knows exactly which position he wants to make his own as he works closely with King and Rix to develop the tools of the trade needed to be a ruckman.

“I try to get as much out of Rixy and Kingy as I can. I spend some time with them each week watching vision or doing practice. They’ve been a great help to me and I’ll continue to utilise them,” McEvoy said.

“Ruck work is an art form. There is so much to learn and it is a matter of using their experience to improve my game now rather than having to wait a few years down the track.”

McEvoy’s form with Casey has obviously impressed the men making the selection decisions. Coach Ross Lyon has mentioned his name twice over the past couple of weeks as a possible inclusion and his debut seems imminent.

“I suppose it does feel close. My confidence is growing with each game I play but I know I can’t control every decision they make,” he said. “I can only worry about what I’m doing and I’m getting more and more confidence in my own ability.”

There is no questioning McEvoy’s ability, or his character, as earlier this year he was named the young citizen of the year by the Alpine Shire council for his volunteer work with his home club Dederang-Mt Beauty.

“It was pretty special, not many people get the opportunity to be acknowledged for their contribution. That was pretty rewarding,” he said.

McEvoy is now living in Hampton with the Kennedy family, who have hosted several St Kilda youngsters in the past. He says he has taken no time to adjust to the Melbourne lifestyle.

“I’ve got a lot of family down here and friends who have come from uni,”

“I’m also hanging around with Jack Steven and Eljay Connors. We were all drafted at the same time and we’re all country boys. We’ve become pretty close and spend a lot of time together.”

As for any possible homesickness, it seems that McEvoy barely has any time to even consider it.

“I don’t get back there. It is a bit tough, it’s too far away – four hours. I suppose I’ll wait until the end of the year.”