MIDFIELDER Luke Dunstan has been named St Kilda’s most promising player at tonight’s Best and Fairest gala.

VIDEO: Richardson welcomes pick 18 Luke Dunstan

The tough on-baller played 16 games in his debut season, averaging 18.8 disposals and 3.8 tackles per outing.

In round one he collected 21 touches and laid seven tackles against Melbourne, earning him the year’s first NAB Rising Star nomination.

“It’s hard to imagine how someone could be more impressive in their first year,” Alan Richardson told SAINTS.com.au.

“When you consider that he had to play a really physical and important position on the ground and as an inside midfielder at stoppages, it’s even more impressive.

“He’s a great person, he applied himself from day one and he earned the respect of his teammates because of the way he went about his footy.”

RELATED: Dunstan a Rising Star

Selected with pick 18 in the 2013 National Draft, the left-footer slotted in immediately and was regularly compared with fellow ball-winner Lenny Hayes.

Following the final game of the season in Adelaide, the retiring Hayes presented Dunstan, who is 15 years his junior, with his number seven guernsey.