The countdown is on to Dan Hannebery's arrival at St Kilda, with his new teammates holding high hopes for what the former Sydney star will offer.
The three-time All Australian is in the process of moving his life back to Melbourne after finishing up in the
Saints midfielder Blake Acres is hopeful Hannebery will provide a boost on and off the field.
"Hannebery will bring a lot of experience for us," Acres said.
"Guys like Hannebery are going to help everyone out a lot, I think.
"I suppose he plays that wing, inside-mid role, so I'll be looking to get to know him really well and work with him a fair bit in the pre-season.”
Acres, 23, has backed coach Alan Richardson and his new team to take the Saints a step forward in 2019.
"We've brought in, I think, four or five new coaches now, and we'll bring in a few draftees in a few weeks," he said.
"We all trust Richo, we all know he knows what he's doing, and I think this year he's got a great support group with all the new coaches.
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"We've got to hold up our end of the bargain as well and perform each week, and he’ll give us every opportunity to do that.”
Acres expects to be a part of the St Kilda side that takes part the side's first JLT Community Series practice match against North Melbourne at Werribee's Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday, 2 March.