At a glance:

• Brett Ratten says the recent injury to Rowan Marshall will ultimately create positive opportunity for several Saints hungry for a look-in.
• The Saints have been focussing on expanding their individual skillsets this pre-season, with numerous players learning to play in different roles ahead of 2021.
• Ratten highlighted Josh Battle and Jack Sinclair as players whose flexibility and persistence has allowed them to lock down spots in the best 22. 

The loss of Rowan Marshall for the start of Season 2021 will take some filling, but it’s the prospect of new opportunity that has Brett Ratten most intrigued.

Marshall, who finished fourth in last year’s Trevor Barker Award, is set to be off-legs for the next month after scans revealed the early signs of a potential stress injury in his foot.

The Saints will also be down defensive pair Ben Paton (TBC) and Jarryn Geary (fractured leg), along with Zak Jones and Ryan Byrnes (hamstring).

But a strong focus on strengthening positional versatility and upskilling players to fill different roles this pre-season could open up the door for several Saints on the cusp. 

“It is a blow to not have Ro – who’s been a very good player for us for a few years – but I think that gives others opportunity,” Ratten told saints.com.au.

“The more flexible we are and the better our ability to cover off other spots allows for some players to get into the team because of that.”

Ratten pointed to Josh Battle as the prime example of versatility, with the 22-year-old swingman plugging holes up forward, down back and along the wing after dipping out on selection for the first three matches of last year.

Jack Sinclair – midway through a “super pre-season”, according to Ratten – is another whose resourcefulness and perseverance paid massive dividends in 2020.

After being listed as an emergency for the first seven matches of season, the 26-year-old went on to play every game up until the semi-final, becoming an integral and multi-skilled asset of St Kilda’s engine room in the process.

While St Kilda’s depth, particularly in the midfield, has encouraged several players to expand their skillset heading into the new year, Ratten says the focus on flexibility has stemmed from fostering positive growth.

“I think it’s a growth mindset, and the bit is for some players, it’s hard to get in front of a player who might be our best full-back, or centre-half back or ruckman or whatever it is, so it allows them to get into the team,” Ratten said.

“Especially when you’re a younger player too, you don’t usually go to your primary role until you’re a little bit older. Hunter Clark played a lot through the midfield in his junior days, but he’s really started as a half-back for us.

“Those guys from last year who missed out – McKenzie, Webster, Dunstan – have been pretty hungry, so they’ve been really determined in their approach and the way they’ve attacked the pre-season.

“Some have had to play multiple positions or take on different tasks, so they’re really trying to make their stamp through this pre-season period and put their name up in lights to maybe get the chance to be in Round 1.”