WHEN Michael Gardiner retired at the end of 2011 after a long career with St Kilda and West Coast, an eager young West Australian-born Saint was quick to stake his claim for the No. 15 jumper.

Tom Ledger had played his first two AFL matches in the 37 guernsey, but with a burning ambition to build on that tally and consolidate himself in the Saints' team, the first formality was moving up the numbers' list.

The succession took on a literal meaning when St Kilda's opening NAB Cup games against Geelong and the Sydney Swans came around.

With the 2012 jumpers yet to arrive and all the official documents stating he had to wear No. 15, the 178cm, 76kg Ledger had no choice but to slip on the exact guernsey worn by the 199cm, 105kg Gardiner - not that the ill-fitting jumper has held him back in any way, as he was one of the most impressive players in St Kilda's indifferent NAB Cup campaign.

No promises have been made, but he has done everything possible to earn himself a spot in the team in round one.

As the Saints place greater emphasis on the development of their younger players under Scott Watters, Ledger said a host of players of his vintage could step up and become regular senior players.

"I think a lot of us are unknown quantities because we haven't played," he told AFL.com.au.

"Last year some of us didn't play because we were injured and you've got to remember St Kilda played in the '09 and '10 Grand Finals, so it's not like the team was really needing to give an injection to the side and they were going hell for leather for a flag.

"I think we've got a lot of talent here and if we can get some games into the younger players then the whole group will benefit and we can challenge."

Ledger showed brief glimpses of his talent in his two matches last year but was reigned in when his body struggled to cope with the demands of life as an AFL player.

Rather than being a hindrance, the time on the sidelines turned out to be a valuable lesson as he shared close confines with a senior Saint also making his way back from injury.

"I had hamstring surgery, so all through August I was training with Lenny Hayes and trying to get as fit as possible," Ledger said.

"It was a different experience. As a young kid you don't know how to train naturally at that level. To get a real insight from someone that good was a privilege."

Ledger and Hayes could both be vital inclusions to the St Kilda midfield this season, with the 19-year-old already earning comparisons in some quarters to a young Austinn Jones for his pace around the ground and high ball drop.

He says he has heard the comparisons, but is reluctant to talk about himself in the same breath as a player who won two All-Australian selections.

"I've just tried to build an endurance base because naturally I don't have that going across the ground. I can play in bursts but to be a top-line AFL midfielder you've got to run 14-15 kms a game. To get to that level I've got a long way to go."

Ledger might not be settled in the St Kilda team but he has slotted nicely into suburban Melbourne life, sharing a house in bayside Aspendale with teammates Nick Winmar and Daniel Archer.

While there have been mutterings about the inconvenience of St Kilda's Seaford base, the 20-minute commute suits Ledger perfectly.

"I'm from Perth originally and I'm living on the beach here so it's more like home," he said.

"I don't know how I'd go living the city. It suits some people but we're here and everyone likes it now so that's the way it is."

Luke Holmesby covers St Kilda news for afl.com.au.