St Kilda rebounding defender Brodie Murdoch was starved of senior opportunity in 2016, but produced an impressive season at Sandringham to be one of the better Saints in the VFL.

Murdoch, 22, overcame an interrupted pre-season to start the year in a rich vein of form with the Zebras.

Playing predominantly across half-back, Murdoch accumulated plenty of football in the first couple of months to force his way into Alan Richardson’s team by the midway point of the season.

The South Australian played against Fremantle in Round 10 – his first senior appearance since the final round of 2015 – and the next week in the big loss at Adelaide Oval against the Crows.

Murdoch found himself out of the team after the Saints disappointing trip to South Australia, but responded emphatically in the VFL by producing a best on ground performance against the Northern Blues, collecting 29 possessions, 14 handball receives and nine marks.

While he couldn’t force his way back into St Kilda’s back six in the back end of the year, he continued to perform for the Zebras and should feature prominently in Friday night’s best and fairest count.

Alan Richardson’s Views:

“Brodie had an interrupted pre-season and that’s been Brodie’s challenge in his time at the club, just to get some continuity. There’s no question at all on his talent, he’s got some real AFL qualities he just needs to have a bit of luck with his body. He was certainly starting to get that this year and ended up in the senior team midway through the year.

“What we like about Brodie is he’s got some real size about him, not only height but his weight as well; he’s got some real power in his play, he’s a very explosive athlete which means he can be a really good mark. He was quite dominant at VFL level but didn’t get the opportunities at AFL level that he would have liked, and that we would have liked either.

“He’s a penetrating kick, he kicked a really memorable goal in one of his AFL games this year where he got a handball outside 50 and put it through from long range. He’s got some real quality, but just needs some luck with his body.”

The Numbers:

AFL

Two games
10.5 disposals
5.0 marks
1.5 tackles

VFL

14 games
20.6 disposals
6.1 marks

For details about all 2017 membership packages, or to become a member today, please call 1300 GO SAINTS or visit here.