IT IS easy to forget that Arryn Siposs has played 25 games of AFL football.

A precociously talented but self-proclaimed inconsistent footballer in his early days, the boy from Beaconsfield was trialled in defence and has spent time on the wing, but has only recently found his niche as a permanent forward.

He’s always been physically strong and kicking was never an issue, but it’s the less tangible side of the game - the mental component - that is only just catching up to his natural attributes.

“I think I’m absolutely a better player now than what I was this time last year,” Siposs told SAINTS.com.au in an exclusive interview this week.

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This statement alone speaks volumes about his development, Alan Richardson’s method and the entire playing list’s improvement.

By round eight last season Siposs had played four senior games for four goals. By comparison, he’s been forced to ply his trade in the reserves this year.

Offensively, his game was in decent shape, but once the opposition won the ball, his contributions were limited, laying just five tackles in his first four matches in 2013.

“I’ve probably got a bit of a better mindset towards my game and know what I have to go out there and do,” he says with a self-assuredness that can’t be faked.

“Now I’m confident I can go out and do that.”

“I’ve tried to focus more on the defensive side of my game, getting my tackles up and working hard to put pressure on in the forward half. I feel like I’ve done that for a good four or five weeks now and it feels good.”

BOULDER 2013: Video diary - Siposs pushed to the extreme

This balance between attack and defence is an acquired blend, one that requires countless hours of hard work, maturity and selfless determination. And it’s a mix that has never been more important than it is in today’s game.

“I’ve spoken to Richo every week,” Siposs says, “And he seems to be pretty happy with how I’m going. I just need to keep having that defensive mindset and the rest will work itself out.”



The difference in Siposs’ game was evident from late March, when he laid five tackles and kicked two goals in a VFL practice game against the Northern Blues.

“He’s been working a lot on his defence because we’ve been critical at times of him for not applying pressure,” St Kilda assistant coach Paul Hudson said a fortnight later.

“But that part of his game has been really good and his tackling intensity has also been really good.”

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And Hudson isn’t one to mince his words, having told Siposs during the summer that his defensive work-rate wasn’t at the level it should be.

So with every week the No.75 draft pick has been building both aspects of his game, culminating in a 20-possession, eight-mark and two-goal performance on Sunday against Essendon’s VFL team.

While it could be argued that he was rarely forced to earn games in past campaigns, there is no doubt this season he’s part of a selection log-jam that creates healthy competition for positions.

“If I get my chance to go up and play in the ones, then it will be coming off more of a form base rather than anything else,” Siposs says.

“Richo has been great with his communication so hopefully a call-up isn’t too far away.”

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It’s that old saying: would you rather have a jack of all trades or a master of one in your team? For Siposs, the answer is as clear as the very message Richardson preaches on a regular basis.

“Richo has told me that he wants me to have a bit more of a focus on playing as a permanent forward and to learn that role rather than be ok at a few different things.

“I can’t see myself really playing anywhere else these days so it’s given me that focus which has been great.”

VIDEO: At home with Siposs