Mail-Times sports journalist Jordan McArdle goes one-on-one with Horsham-bred footballer Seb Ross, who has taken his game to the next level for St Kilda in the AFL this season.
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AFTER five consecutive games for St Kilda this season, Horsham-bred youngster Seb Ross feels like he finally belongs in the big league.
Ross’s fledgling AFL career reached new heights during the Saints’ thrilling 11-point win over Carlton in round seven, recording a career-high 21 disposals, six marks and six tackles, to be named in his side’s best.
The composed midfielder, who is likened to Collingwood star Scott Pendlebury by coach Scott Watters, described the win as the highlight of his season.
“The trip to New Zealand was something I’ll always remember – being a part of the first home-and-away match overseas,” Ross said.
“But the win against Carlton was pretty exciting – I was pretty pumped up after that.
“The Blues came back in that last quarter but we held on for a memorable win.
“Possession-wise it was probably the best game I’ve played but I was most pleased with my tackling pressure.”
Drafted by the Saints at pick number 25 in the 2011 AFL National Draft, Ross made his AFL debut in round 22 last season against Greater Western Sydney after a season of developing himself against hardened bodies in the VFL.
And with another pre-season under his belt, Ross, 22, who has averaged 15 touches, three marks and two tackles in 2013, has set his sights on cementing a place in the St Kilda midfield.
“It’s good to get a few games in this early in the season,” he said.
“The focus each week is to play my role for the team and hopefully try to keep my spot for as long as I can.
“Knowing that I had already made my debut last season has really helped – I can just go out there and play the game of footy rather than worry about it.”
Ross considers himself lucky to be part of such an elite midfield group, which boasts some of the top players in the game, including Lenny Hayes and Leigh Montagna.
He said Montagna had been a great role model to the younger players at the club.
“We’re a pretty tight-knit group in the midfield but Joey has been massive this year,” Ross said.
“You can see the way he’s been leading on the ground and it’s exactly the same off the ground.
“He’s played a pretty big role in how the boys have gone about it this season.”
The classy left-footer admitted backing it up after each game had been the toughest to adjust to at the top level.
“Most people would say living out of home but boarding at Clarendon College in Ballarat for a couple of years has helped that,” Ross said.
“This is our second six-day break in a row so you’ve really got to be on top of your recovery, especially after those high-intensity games.”
The Saints play Western Bulldogs, who have won just one match in 2013, at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
