St Kilda veteran Seb Ross feels that things are in good hands when it comes to the club's young stocks.
The Saints managed a famous win over reigning premiers Collingwood last Thursday night which was largely supplemented by the performances of their talented youth.
Saints fans have reason to be optimistic about the future, with emerging stars like Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Mitch Owens, Mattaes Phillipou, Liam Henry and Darcy Wilson forming the core of St Kilda's upcoming talent pool.
“As a leader at the footy club for a while now, these guys are really easy to work with,” experienced midfielder Ross said on SEN Breakfast.
“There’s a group there that’s incredibly driven and committed and want to get better each day.
“They’re driving us older guys along, it’s no surprise with what they’re able to do, as for such young guys they’re preparation is elite.
“They’ve got a pact with where they want to take this team, and they’re doing so.”
Similarly, another promising talent, Marcus Windhager, has had a remarkable impact from a young age, and is anticipated to become a cornerstone of the St Kilda team in the future.
“'Windy' was a really good teenage basketballer, and we know with basketball it’s about getting 500 shots up a day,” Ross exclaimed.
“He’s certainly had that crossover from basketball into football.
“They (basketballers) come in as 18-year olds looking like 25-year-old men, the way they take care of their bodies.
“We want to get the footy in his hands as much as possible.”
Their roster of young talent extends to the latest draft, where with the 18th pick they selected Wilson, who has already left his mark on the club.
“I haven’t seen too many come in like him,” Ross exclaimed.
“Cast your eye over him and watch the running he does, it’s incredible.
“I honestly just couldn’t believe it.”
St Kilda seeks to extend their winning streak to two games as they take on Essendon at Marvel Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The matchup presents a prime opportunity for Ross Lyons and his team to make a positive statement about St Kilda's ambitions for 2024 and go 2-1 for the season.
