ST KILDA coach Alan Richardson has wasted no time in getting to know his players after having one-on-one chats with each player while on a pre-season camp in Colorado.
“It has been a great opportunity to spend quality time with the players. When you join a footy club it can often take a while but given that I have been eating and spending a lot of time with the guys, it has been invaluable,” Richardson told the St Kilda website.
“Every guy has got to see me over the duration of the camp and I have been able to get through to them, predominantly the younger guys.
“I have been able to meet the senior guys back at Seaford so the younger guys have booked in for 15 minutes to sit down and have a chat about their footy and about them as young men.”
Richardson said he has been impressed with the players work ethic so far.
“I have been super impressed with the way they have embraced everything we have thrown at them both physically and mentally,” Richardson said.
“The weather has thrown up some challenges and they have been super.”
He said he expects players such as Jack Steven and David Armitage to play important roles in steering the Saints midfield this season.
“That is imperative. There is no doubt about that. Our more senior guys are going to play a really significant role in the culture and environment we create and provide opportunities for those younger blokes to come through,” he said.
“Jack Steven had an outstanding year last year and we need him to continue not only with his footy form but his ability to have an impact on the group from a leadership perspective.
“David Armitage is another one who already is a really impressive leader in his own right. We need him to continue to develop and there are probably three or four more around that age group who will need to push through.”
