WATCHING St Kilda play this weekend will feel a little different for Tom Moody.

The 10-year-old has been a regular at Saints matches over the past few years with his father Adam.

But Tom’s world was rocked last month when Adam tragically drowned while trying to rescue his son who was swimming at an unpatrolled beach near Sale.

Tom’s sad story was highlighted a week later when an article in the Sunday Herald Sun mentioned the tragic circumstances his family faced.

The accompanying photo of Tom in his beloved Saints jumper caught the eye of coach Scott Watters as well as several club officials.

It was decided by all that the club would do everything it could to help provide Tom some cheer in such a difficult time.

So this week Tom will lead the Saints out in the Friday night clash with Richmond after appearing as a special guest of the club at Monday’s open training session.

After he was introduced to the St Kilda players, Tom was hoisted on to their shoulders, giving him a much-needed broad smile as he got to know his new friends.

Tom walked away from the club with a football signed by the entire squad, as well as a jumper and a pair of Nick Riewoldt’s boots from last year signed by the captain himself.

Riewoldt said he hoped Tom would have a thrill when he leads the team out on the ground on Friday.

“We just felt that the least we could do was to be involved somehow, get him down to training, meet him and have him run out on the ground with us on Friday," Riewoldt said.

"Tom has been through a very difficult couple of weeks but we hope that we can give him some cheer and joy when he leads us out on to the MCG on Friday night."

Tom said he was overwhelmed by the attention he received from his heroes.

“Adam Schneider came up and had a kick with me before,” he said.

“It was a bit embarrassing. They were very friendly to me.”