THIS year may not have ended the way Seb Ross would have wanted, but the midfielder nevertheless believes the season was a success and has the club well positioned heading into 2016.

Ross, who averaged 18.2 disposals per outing from 10 senior games, said the club set out with the objective to be an elite pressure side – an ambition that was fulfilled up until the penultimate round of the year.

“It’s been a pretty long year,” Ross told SAINTS.com.au following St Kilda’s 95-point loss to West Coast on Saturday night.

“Our aim was to be the number one pressure side in the competition. We lost that mantle last week. We were heading back up that way [on Saturday night] but obviously dropped off in the second half.

“We exceeded our expectations a fair bit. Some people thought we wouldn’t even win a game. It’s just been more about that build – consistent pressure, week in, week out, is what we are trying to do.”

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The 22-year-old has played 37 games since debuting late in 2012 and looked set for a full campaign before he tore his hamstring in the pre-season.

As a result, Ross did not make it back into the senior team until round 10. While he conceded the layoff was frustrating, it allowed him time to watch younger teammates develop from afar.

We pumped a fair few games into some young guys like Jack Sinclair and Jack Lonie,” he said.

“This will hold them in good stead for the pre-season.”

On Saturday Ross collected a season-high 25 disposals and laid a career-best nine tackles. His in-and-under work alongside David Armitage allows the more elusive midfielders to run free, a role the left-footer is more than happy to play.

They (Leigh Montagna, David Armitage and Jack Steven) set the scene with their work rate,” he said.

“They just work and work and work. That’s something I’ve taken away from them so I can play good four-quarter footy.”