St Kilda stalwart Sam Gilbert says fellow defender Dylan Roberton has ‘stepped up’ this pre-season, taking his leadership and football to another level across the summer.

After playing 20 games in 2015 and establishing himself as a permanent fixture in St Kilda’s back six, Roberton played 18 games last year in another impressive campaign by the former Docker.

Roberton, 25, ran his best 3km time trial since his first year at Fremantle – when he weighed 13 kilograms lighter – at the start of January and has also been a standout on the track at Linen House Centre.

“He’s had a great pre-season; he’s one that’s really stepped up, especially in the leadership department as well as football,” Gilbert told saints.com.au.

“Robbo’s been training the house down this pre-season. I think he’s someone who has really impressed across the pre-season.”

Along with the return of Jake Carlisle, the off-season arrival of former Collinwood premiership defender, Nathan Brown, has strengthened St Kilda’s key defensive stocks.

Gilbert said the 28-year-old has improved the Saints communication in the back half, allowing players like himself and Sean Dempster to play off their man more and attack incoming balls.

“‘Browny’ has got a lot of experience, he’s a very, very good full-back,” Gilbert said.

“Having someone back there who is really good with their voice and communication and who can play on the key forwards gives ‘Shinner’ and myself more of a license to sag off our man and go for our marks and try and cut off the ball a bit more which is great.”