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Just like the way he goes about his business, versatile St Kilda defender Jimmy Webster has reached the 50-game milestone with minimal fuss as he continues to blossom into a reliable member of the Saints’ back six.
After playing 17 games last season, the 22-year-old (he turns 23 next Tuesday) has continued his gradual rise, playing ten of the first 12 games this season, predominantly across half-back but also on a wing at different times.
Ahead of Webster reaching the half century, St Kilda Coach Alan Richardson said the penetrating back-flanker has tightened up the defensive side of his game this season, becoming a trusted member of the Saints’ defensive ensemble.
“Jimmy’s improving all the time. He’s a player that has primarily been challenged to focus on his defence. He has started to become really trusted defensively,” Richardson told saints.com.au on Thursday.
“He’s still got some areas to work on, but his teammates, particularly the defenders, trust if we get the match-up right and put him on player x, Jimmy’s now got some real tools to be able to defend those players.”
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With the defensive side of his craft on the rise, Richardson has challenged the fearless defender to become a launching pad from attack and utilise his game-breaking left foot more often and with more devastation.
“The next evolution of Jimmy is to get a bit more drive off half-back to get him a bit more involved offensively and on the back of a really strong pre-season and taking his endurance to another level, we’ve seen a bit more of that,” Richardson said.
“We’re still asking for a bit more, we want him to go to another level with that facet of his play. But he’s certainly heading in the right way. He’s got such a damaging kick that we think he can be a real offensive weapon for us.”
Recruited from Glenorchy in the Tasmanian State League, Webster is as no frills off the ground as he is on it. What you see is what you get says his coach, who revealed Webster’s teammates respect him for his hardness on the ground and his genuine nature off it.
“Jimmy’s a tough kid so he’s got a fair bit of respect from his teammates. There’s no pretence about Jimmy, he doesn’t try and put on a show – what you see is what you get. He’s a Tassie boy, he’s like a kid that you get from the country,” Richardson said.
At Etihad Stadium on Saturday night, Webster will run out for game No. 50, alongside another member from the draft class of 2011 in Seb Ross, who also reaches the half century against the Cats.
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