The 21-year-old has played 27 games since he was selected with pick 25 in the 2011 National Draft, and said he was delighted to help extend #SaintsFutureFest into an unprecedented third week of re-signings.
“I’m grateful that the club has put the faith in me so that I can put my head down, bum up, and work hard,” Ross told SAINTS.com.au.
“My main focus now is to really prepare well in the off-season so I can come back in really good nick and take the next step up.”
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The left-footer debuted in the penultimate round of 2012, before adding 13 matches in 2013 and another 13 this season.While he showed potential in his second year, it wasn’t until the 2014 season when Ross truly showed his value as a hard-nosed on-baller.
“Seb has the potential to be a very good inside midfielder,” Alan Richardson told SAINTS.com.au.
“He has a strong body and finds the footy.”
Perhaps the finest illustration of his ball-winning ability was against Geelong in round 13, when Ross collected a career-best 28 touches in a heavy defeat at Simonds Stadium.
RELATED: Ross on the rise
No other Saint registered more than 21 disposals that afternoon, and it is Ross’s improved aerobic capacity that has allowed him to reach more contests around the ground according to the Saints coach.“Seb’s running and endurance is improving almost on a weekly basis,” he said.
“We expect him to have a big summer and be even fitter ahead of the 2015 season.”
While Ross was disappointed to see Lenny Hayes retire after round 23, he suggested there could be a silver lining that stems from the St Kilda champion’s farewell.
“Lenny’s retirement opens up a lot more opportunities for young inside midfielders like Luke Dunstan and me to get some good game time, hone our craft and improve,” Ross said.
“Within two or three years those of us who have played around 20 games will be up to around the 70-game mark which is when players tend to get towards their best.
“If we all reach that spot at the same time then we will have that synergy out on the field, just as Lenny and Roo did back in the 2000s.
“I guess we are hoping to create a dynasty with this core group of young players that we have, so the club is showing faith in us and telling us we have the tools to take the club forwards.”
Head of Football Chris Pelchen praised Ross and said he looked forward to watching the on-baller continue to improve over the coming years.
"Seb has continued to develop as an AFL player during 2014 with increased exposure to midfield roles at senior level," Pelchen told SAINTS.com.au.
"Seb's strength and durability is a credit to his physical preparation and we look forward to him becoming a prominent part of the Saints' future."
Ross's re-signing follows Luke Dunstan, Josh Saunders, Jack Newnes, Lewis Pierce and Nathan Wright in week one, in addition to Jimmy Webster, Blake Acres, Spencer White and Darren Minchington last week.
Ross's re-signing follows Luke Dunstan, Josh Saunders, Jack Newnes, Lewis Pierce and Nathan Wright in week one, in addition to Jimmy Webster, Blake Acres, Spencer White and Darren Minchington last week.
