While Jack Newnes has been inside St Kilda’s leadership group for the last two seasons now, Seb Ross is another young player at Linen House Centre who is earmarked as a leader of the future, with the pair two pieces of an evolving jigsaw puzzle.

Both Newnes and Ross produced career-best seasons in 2016, playing all 22 games to take the next step in their football journey in the process. And both loom as key leaders for the club across the next decade.

After enduring a frustrating start to last year, Ross enjoyed a significant spike in output this year, while Newnes continued his gradual improvement to emerge as one of the best wingmen in the AFL.

Both finished near the pointy end of the Trevor Barker Award, with Newnes finishing just three votes and one spot ahead of Ross in fifth position.

St Kilda Assistant Coach Adam Kingsley, who is in charge of the pair as part of his midfield role, has overseen their emergence into young leaders, which took a step further in 2016 as both players became more comfortable at the level.

“Jack became a little bit more vocal. He was a little bit more comfortable with the title if you like, of a leader and someone in our leadership group,” Kingsley told saints.com.au.

“And with ‘Sebby’, as he’s started to become more comfortable as an AFL player, it’s been noticeable that he’s prepared to help others more.”

After finding his feet last year among some of the clubs best players in Nick Riewoldt, Leigh Montagna, Sean Dempster and Jarryn Geary, Kingsley says that Newnes took greater responsibility from a leadership perspective this year and has substantial scope for growth.

“He took on a little bit more responsibility for the midfield play; he certainly drove meetings; provided feedback for his teammates and led by example with the way he prepares and the way that he plays,” Kingsley said.

“He still needs to improve in that area, he’s well short of where he is going to get to; he’s going to be a really strong leader for the club in years to come. I expect him to be one of our best players.”

Highly regarded for his professionalism and consistency, Ross has become a vocal contributor and improved his communication, according to Kingsley, who believes the gutsy midfielder has developed into a leader at the club.

“He’s certainly strong with his views, he’s worked hard with his delivery and can at times be a little bit blunt, but he’s worked on that,” Kingsley said. “He receives feedback well; he’s prepared to listen to his coaches and teammates; he’s become a really good leader of our football club.”

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