IT TOOK more than half a season for Shane Savage to find his place at St Kilda, but the former Hawk is now flourishing and making the trade that sent ruckman Ben McEvoy to Hawthorn look savvier by the week.
Savage was bundled up with pick No.18 by the Hawks and sent to St Kilda in exchange for McEvoy, with the deal trumpeted as a big win for the reigning premiers at the time.
But combined with an outstanding debut season from Luke Dunstan – who was selected with pick No.18 in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft – Savage's revival as a running defender could be tipping the scales back in St Kilda's favour.
Since moving to the backline against West Coast in round 14, he has averaged 25 possessions and three rebound 50s a game, also getting free and pushing forward to average 4.2 inside 50s.
He racked up a season-high 30 possessions against Fremantle in round 18.
Dunstan, meanwhile, played 17 of 19 games and slotted seamlessly into the St Kilda midfield before his season was ended by shoulder surgery.
Savage has been modelling his game on former teammate Grant Birchall since moving to the backline and he has clearly thrived in the attacking aspects of his new role.
The next step for the 23-year-old is improving the defensive side of his game.
"Naturally he is an offensive player – he kicks well, but he runs and breaks the lines with his legs as well," defensive coach David Teague told AFL.com.au.
"He can turn a 30m kick in to a 90m play with his run.
"The learning curve for Shane is knowing when it's time to defend.
"He's probably going to get it wrong at times, but that's OK because we want him to lean towards his offensive side."
Savage was dropped twice in the first eight weeks of the season and he suffered a loss of confidence, finishing with just eight possessions against his former club in round seven.
He conceded at that point he needed to spend more time in the VFL to find some form.
It took seven weeks for him to regain his spot and he has since been a strong replacement for running defender Jimmy Webster, whose season was ended by a foot injury.
"He was definitely out of form and he was probably the first to put his hand up," Teague said.
"He was working hard on his game but more than anything he was lacking confidence.
"He's responded really well and playing in defence has helped him improve his form.
"He's grown with each game he's played."
Twitter: @AFL_Nathan
