Mercurial, electric, match-winning.

Few players in the league fit that description, but the resumé of St Kilda’s Jade Gresham already boasts some of the best highlights the Saints faithful have witnessed in recent years…and he’s only 21.

Saints.com.au takes a look back at Gresh’s Top 5.

POLL: Gresh's Best

5. Round 23, 2017 – Richmond v St Kilda

More renowned for his ability to manipulate the oval ball with a bending snap or a curling dribbler, Gresham’s long bomb against eventual premiers Richmond sticks out as unusual for the No. 4.

Mid-way through the last term, the confident Saint read Billy Longer’s tap perfectly before motoring away from the Tiger Brandon Ellis and slotting on the run from near the fence.

It was St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt’s last ever game in the red, white and black, and despite ‘Gresh’ booting a then career-high five goals, it wasn’t enough to give ‘Roo’ a fairytale send-off.

4. Round 12, 2016 – St Kilda v Carlton

Some of Gresham’s most dangerous weapons are without doubt his agility and quick-thinking, both of which were on show as Carlton’s Dale Thomas toppled over in his wake.

The Saints ran out comfortable victors over the Blues, and the public nature of the then-18-year-old budding star embarrassing a veteran of the game rubbed further salt into Carlton’s wounds that day.

3. Round 1, 2017 – St Kilda v Melbourne

The 21-year-old’s freakish skills and creativity have been well-documented throughout his short career, but his triple effort against the Demons impeccably demonstrates Gresh’s ability to create something from nothing.

A seamless combination of clever taps, game nous and positional awareness, Gresham’s goal in the dying seconds of the opening term announced his arrival as the Saints’ new long-term No. 4.

2. Round 13, 2018 – Gold Coast v St Kilda

Throughout his three-year career, Gresham has been described in many ways, but one stands out: special.

When the under-fire Saints headed north to face the equally floundering Gold Coast Suns in Round 13 this year, it was a chance to redeem some pride before the bye.

But deep in the third quarter, Alan Richardson’s men found themselves two soldiers and 39 points down, staring down the barrel of a crushing defeat.

The 30 minutes of football that ensued were some of the stirring seen from the Saints in recent years, and with a minute left on the clock, the responsibility fell to one man.

Gresh once again combined with Longer and found himself with space in the pocket, before screwing through the match-winning snap and sending the travelling St Kilda faithful into delirium.


Jade Gresham celebrates his match-winning goal against the Suns.

1. Round 14, 2016 – St Kilda v Geelong

Gresham’s match-winner against the Suns is an unlucky second, pipped by his most famous goal for the Saints and the goal that attracted the eyes of the competition to St Kilda’s new young gun.

The Saints had scored only a single behind in the final term against raging favourites Geelong, gifting their three-quarter time lead to the Cats and seemingly faltering at the last post.

But when a loopy left-foot inside-50 entry from Jack Steven fell into Gresh’s lap, the young Saint turned the game on its head.

Overawed by neither his opponent in 200-game premiership defender Tom Lonergan, nor the magnitude of the occasion, Gresham did what Gresham does best.

Squeezed up hard against the boundary line with the bigger-bodied Lonergan closing fast, Gresh baulked to square up the ball inside – the expected play – before hugging the line, brushing aside the bamboozled Cat and bending home what would prove to be the decisive goal.

Inspired by their young teammate’s brilliance, the Saints lifted, and three minutes later, Jack Steven rammed home another, before the Saints held onto a three-point lead to claim a memorable victory.