WITH A period of rest and a full pre-season behind him, St Kilda veteran David Armitage believes he'll still have plenty to offer the Saints in 2019 despite enduring another injury-affected year.  

Armitage, 30, has played 13 games this season, having been omitted to the VFL on three occasions.

But, having battled hamstring tendinitis throughout the year, which has no real cure other than complete rest, he says he's got the coach's backing to recapture his best in the final year of his contract – if he can get his body right.   

"I've certainly had conversations with 'Richo' (Alan Richardson) about hitting a full pre-season again and my body at my best is certainly still capable, whether that's in the midfield or potentially half-back," Armitage told AFL.com.au this week.

"It's about attacking the pre-season and hopefully I don't have any of those niggles so I can play at 100 per cent - but no one rarely is - so that's the conversation we've had going forward.  

"I suppose if he didn't [have confidence] I wouldn't have come back into the team the three times I've been dropped. 

"At my best, he certainly thinks I'm still important to the group and in the plans going forward so that's all I can do at the moment." 

Armitage signed his last contract – a three-year extension – back in August, 2015.  

While it appears there are no guarantees on whether he'll see out the last year of it, or on what role he'll play if he does, he believes he brings invaluable leadership to the rebuilding list.

"A lot of people don't see this side of people; if you're not on the park you're not doing anything," he said.  

"I've gone back [to the VFL] and tried to lead just as I would if I hadn't been [dropped], I've tried to play the right way and lead by example. 

"It's something I've grown into; a role where I've played a bit of a leadership role to some of the boys more week to week on the training track and helping them out in that regard and also on game day where I try and have an influence."

When he has been in the side, he's been used in a variety of roles including one down back in the last few weeks.

But, he's accepted that challenge as simply part of getting older.  

"You see a lot of midfielders, Jordan Lewis, Bernie Vince, Matty Boyd in his career late, Joey Montagna as well, certainly play different roles," he said.  

"It's just something you've got to embrace and do your best in that role."

Off the field, it's been an exciting time for Armitage. He proposed to partner Jessie in December last year, with the couple planning their wedding for late 2019.  

But on-field, it's been tough. Last year was ruined by a groin injury that kept him to just two games, and this season has seen his output limited by the hamstring tendinitis.  

He's had to deal with post-game soreness and restrictions on his pace, which has contributed to his multiple omissions.

"Certainly, that's what they see when you're out there and once it's in someone's head that that's what you've got, then that's what they look for," he said.

"That's what's been portrayed to me, that a little bit at times it can certainly come out in the way that I try and chase someone at top speed."

He feels as though he's turning a corner as the season wears on. The soreness is less frequent, which has given him the confidence he'll be physically ready for the start of pre-season.  

Having been at the club since the 2006 NAB AFL Draft, Armitage has been through several periods of transition under three different coaches – Ross Lyon, Scott Watters and Alan Richardson.

He started his career at Moorabbin in the year the Saints finished ninth, was part of the move to Seaford, was there when they played in back-to-back Grand Finals, and has been there for the past six seasons where they've missed the finals.

It's this rollercoaster ride that has him keen to be part of the next phase back at Moorabbin, with wholesale changes expected internally across the next few months. 

"We were touted as a potential finals team at the start of the year, and when you don't live up to expectation there's got to be change," he said.  

"Trade and draft is coming up and I daresay there'll be a bit of movement in that space and some of the coaches have already been told.

"We haven't played finals for a while now and we've been down the bottom, I've certainly witnessed that.

"It's always good to try and build a culture and group that plays finals so that's what we're aiming to do and hopefully I'm a part of it."