SHANE Savage’s last 18 months have been challenging, rewarding and everything in between. A broken arm, the birth of his first child, struggles with form and a change of clubs could have derailed his focus.

Yet the 24-year-old, who has played 73 games, has never been more settled. Every challenge he has confronted and every day has been about learning. Never one to complain, Savage accepts criticism like he accepts praise – with a measured and focussed demeanour that has seen him become of St Kilda’s most consistent players.

Don’t be fooled by the orange boots, Savage possesses a steely determination and focus that has been severely tested, but never broken.

Alan Richardson can take some credit for this – his decision to re-design Savage as a half-back rather than a half-forward just eight weeks into 2014 appears to be a masterstroke 10 months on.

The ex-Hawk played against his former team in round seven last season in a game he and his Saints teammates would rather forget.

Savage collected eight disposals and was largely ineffective as St Kilda slumped to a 145-point defeat at the MCG.

Dropped to the VFL for the next seven weeks, Savage was assigned a new role in the back half. He forced his way back into the senior team for St Kilda’s round 14 clash against West Coast and hasn’t looked back since.

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The ex-Dandenong Stingray has amassed 20 or more disposals in 10 of his 11 games since.

The role allows Savage to execute his precise foot skills and run – his two best assets.

“I was excited for the challenge actually, hadn’t played in that position before, but I knew with my attributes I was well equipped to play that position and I feel I’m playing it pretty well,” Savage told SAINTS.com.au this week.

“I’m still working on it, I’m still only 10 games into being a defender, so I still need to work on that balance of when to attack and when to defend as well, but I’m definitely getting my head around it.”

The trade:

Having played in a VFL premiership with Box Hill in 2013, Savage was traded to St Kilda in a much-publicised deal that involved Ben McEvoy and a selection of draft picks.

Clearly Savage didn’t arrive at Linen House Centre focused on forging a VFL career. He’d been there and done that. He came to play regular senior football and never lost hope that he could one day cement his spot in Alan Richardson’s best 18.

“Obviously Hawthorn was a very good side and I knew that, but I was totally aware of the journey St Kilda was on when I first came here,” he said.

“Last year was a pretty slow start and I knew I could play a lot better footy than I was. It’s definitely comfortable knowing that I’m in pretty good form and I feel like I’m pretty safe in the position. That security allows me to play my best football and go out there every week and perform well for the side.

“I’m really happy where I am and I’m really happy that I’m a part of this journey.”

The backline brigade:

But Savage’s ascension to become St Kilda’s ‘go to’ player in the back half hasn’t been a one man show.

“My teammates like Jarryn Geary and Sam Fisher allow me to run off the line at times and also give me really good feedback out on the ground on where to go and where to setup and when to leap as well,” he said.

“Obviously they want me attack into the inside 50 and my role is to gain yards for the team.”

VIDEO: Savage's long bomb goal

The broken arm:

Prior to St Kilda’s round 22 game against Richmond last year, Savage suffered a sickening incident at training and broke his arm. Physically he recovered fine, but the mental struggle has been more difficult to overcome.

“During the pre-season I had moments where I was thinking about, where I had negative thoughts about it,” he said.

“The mindset training that we’ve been doing with the club has really helped my ability to take that away, not worry about it and just focus on what I need to do.

“Brodie Murdoch tackled me and I feel onto my back with my hand underneath and he fell on top with the pressure too much for my arm. I then got up and freaked out and screamed like a girl, it was a real shock.”

Fatherhood:

On January 6 this year, Savage became a dad. He and his partner Sarah welcomed Jett Isaac Savage into the world.

RELATED: New year brings bundle of joy for defender

Aside from the obvious happiness Jett has brought, it has also meant Savage has spent more time on the couch watching football at home.

In doing so, he is continually observing opposition players that possess similar traits and talents.

“I usually watch a couple of half-backers each week,” he said.

“For example Nick Malceski, Grant Birchall and Brodie Smith are the type of players I try to play like because of the way they balance offence and defence.

“One day down the track I hope to push up the ground if I need to. I feel like I have the flexibility to push forward or push on the wing, but right now my focus is on playing defence.

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“I always knew being a father would really help me and I think it has. Going home and not having to focus on footy and putting my focus on him is something that has really helped me. He brings so much happiness and balance into my life and it’s something I love doing.”

Heritage:

Since Savage arrived at St Kilda, it has been well publicised that he was born in New Zealand – making the club’s annual venture across the ditch a convenient sub-story for Savage’s heritage.

But what is perhaps not as well known is that he still considers himself a Kiwi.

“I was born in Auckland, came to Australia when I was two years old, but a lot of my family is of Mauri heritage and obviously they were very big into their rugby as well,” he said.

“I consider myself a Kiwi playing the game of AFL.”

As a result, Saturday’s Anzac clash in Wellington will be a homecoming of sorts for Savage. While his grandparents will remain in Auckland and watch the game on television, Savage cannot wait to play his second game in New Zealand – only this time, he’s an established player and a critical part of St Kilda’s defensive unit.

“It will be a great occasion,” he said.

“Playing in New Zealand means to much to me, and the fact it is on Anzac Day makes it even more special.”