Steven, Ross, Steele.

They're names which have become synonymous with reliability in St Kilda’s midfield, with the regular stalwarts never yielding even amid a horror 2018.

But in 2019, it won’t just be the usual suspects driving the Saints’ engine room, with Seb Ross convinced the young and upcoming midfield brigade will pack an immediate punch through the centre.

READ: 1-25: 2019 Intra-Club in numbers

Jade Gresham is one such player who has stood out for the vice-captain, whose mercurial talent has barely wavered as he begins his transition into the Saints’ centre line.

“‘Gresh’ has been able to improve his fitness again, so hopefully we can get a little bit more out of him, because we know how much talent he has,” Ross told saints.com.au.

He’s got more talent in his little finger than I do in my whole body.”

While Gresham’s freakish goal-sense and ability to light games on fire have primarily been exhibited up forward in previous seasons, the 21-year-old is looking to make his mark in the midfield in 2019; the position in which he played almost all of his junior football.

Ross was just as complimentary of Hunter Clark, who like Gresham, is gearing towards a full-time move to the midfield in just his second season at the club.

“Hunter Clark is another one who’s had a really big pre-season," Ross said.

In the last three match simulations we’ve had, he’s probably been best on ground."

Clark has taken it upon himself to sharpen his craft at training and in match simulation, lining up on the seasoned Ross at every opportunity.

On the training track alone, the 19-year-old's huge growth has been evident, with new senior assistant coach Brett Ratten praising Clark’s prolific output.

“There’s been a couple of players who have really improved enormously, but I think Hunter Clark has taken his game to another level,” Ratten told saints.com.au

“From what I had a look at last year and then early doors pre-Christmas, and post-Christmas, gees he’s been playing some really nice football.”

READ: Young Saints shine at Intra-Club

And while the Saints’ rigorous pre-season regimen has seen personal elevation in both the emerging and established players, it is the budding, young brigade in particular who have impressed in Ross’ eyes.

“The majority of the guys that are moving into their fourth or fifth year now have really built their fitness base, so they should be able to go all day,” Ross said.

“It’s been a great pre-season for everyone, we’ve got plenty of new, fresh faces around the club with the playing list and upstairs in the coaching group, so there’s some new ideas getting floated around.”

READ: Flexible midfield set to impress

With the prized duo pushing the envelope in terms of their output and influence on the contest, for the experienced Ross, such fast-tracked development has been pleasing to see.

“We’ve been doing the hard yards on the track, so when I see that younger core group really improve their fitness testing results and all that sort of stuff, we can only go one way,” Ross said.

“They’re seeing the fruits of that labour – Hunter Clark, Jade Gresham, Ben Long – all those guys have been tearing up the track.

"For the majority of the list, this is probably the best shape we’ve been in across the board.”