LUKE Dunstan is primed to debut in round one against Melbourne, according to St Kilda Senior Coach Alan Richardson.

Speaking to a 5,000-strong crowd at St Kilda’s Saints by the Bay community event on Monday, Richardson was full of praise for the South Australian teenager who has impressed in each of the pre-season games this summer with his work in the clinches.  

“There will be some young players that will get some opportunity,” Richardson said.  

“We are going to be really strong on the fact they have to earn that opportunity but so far many of the young blokes have been really impressive.”

“Luke Dunstan has been impressive running through the midfield. Barring mishap or injury I’d be surprised if he doesn’t play.”

Richardson’s Saints by the Bay comments echoed what he said on Saturday following St Kilda’s final pre-season hit out against Port Adelaide in Alberton.

“Yeah he does [look ready]; he's done everything right, he's had another impressive performance… His form through all the games has been strong.”The left-footer was St Kilda’s second selection in the 2013 National Draft at pick No.18 following Jack Billings at three and preceding Blake Acres at 19.

While Dunstan has already played three senior games for Woodville-West Torrens in the SANFL, Billings is comparatively inexperienced against men after dominating TAC Cup and school footy in recent years.

“We’ve seen a bit of Jack Billings,” Richardson said. “We know that pick three comes with expectation, particularly given where we are at. But the reality is that Jack has had a reasonably interrupted preparation. He’s a chance to play but not a certainty. He’s here for a career not just for the start of a season.”
With Leigh Montagna and Lenny Hayes suspended and Jack Steven injured, St Kilda’s engine room will have a refreshingly youthful look about it against the Demons, and Richardson is adamant the youngsters will step up to the challenge.

“There are many young blokes. Curren, Newnes will play a combination of wing and defence. So we’ve certainly got some guys to go through there.”

“Curren had a role to play against Travis Boak and did a terrific job that was rewarded [on Saturday].”

It’s no secret football can be incredibly complex, with a vast range of tactical plays and setups practised on a daily basis. While Richardson appreciates the need to be advanced in his coaching methods, he’s also committed to delivering a simple message to the players and fans ahead of the 2014 season.

“We are going to be really consistent and strong with our aggression and attack on the footy and the man,” he said.

“Contested footy is going to be really important to us. We also want to be really predictable to each other and trust the roles that we play. So there is a real understanding of the roles that we all need to play for the team.”

“We also want to get back to being a really hard team to score against. It’s a reflection of the way the game has gone; you aren’t successful unless you can defend.”

Richardson is renowned as a respected and level-headed educator who places a strong emphasis on man management.  

“I hope I’ll be calm and measured and not emotional,” he said. “There are moments where something that we want to stand for as a group aren’t adhered to, so then my voice is often a reflection of the players’ commitment to each other and what they stand for.”

You can follow Tom Morris on Twitter: @tommorris32