LUKE Dunstan entered his first season at St Kilda optimistic of playing an AFL game but not entirely sure it would happen.
After being taken with the Saints' second selection at the 2013 NAB AFL Draft (No.18 overall), there was always a big chance he would factor in the senior side at some stage given his mature physique.
But the suspension of Leigh Montagna and Lenny Hayes in round one, combined with injuries to Jack Steven and later David Armitage, meant there were immediate vacancies in the midfield.
The 19-year-old was called up in round one – and after making an impression in the centre circle that won him a NAB Rising Star nomination, has played every game bar one since.
"I obviously wanted to set the goal to play games but I didn't think it would actually happen," Dunstan told AFL.com.au.
"It was obviously pretty daunting early on, playing your first AFL game in round one. You don't really know what to expect.
"I was just lucky to get the opportunity early on … if [Montagna and Hayes] were in, I don't know if I would have got an opportunity.
"I should be thanking them now.
"I think the experience has been invaluable. When we're missing those leaders, someone's got to step up and I think us young guys took that on board and hopefully we did that."
The Saints' injury list, which has grown nearly every week and more often than not with long-term ailments, has meant a few young players have been able to gather experience they otherwise wouldn't have.
Jack Billings has played seven games, Eli Templeton six (before he broke his arm against the Brisbane Lions) and Blake Acres three.
Coach Alan Richardson admits the team has featured too many young players at times and they could have benefitted from them having more experienced heads alongside them.
However, he knows that the exposure the youngsters have gotten from the forced absence of senior players will stand them in good stead in the future.
"We'd love to have David Armitage in there cracking away with those boys, but unfortunately that's not the case and that is a reflection across the field," Richardson said.
"But, long term, they are going to be great opportunities.
"We have the opportunity to sit down with all our young players after the game and review their performance often against quality opponents.
"The learnings that come out of that are really significant, so they're great opportunities for our young players."
Dunstan, from South Australia, played three games of seniors in the SANFL for Woodville-West Torrens last season, which no doubt contributed to his ready-made status when he arrived at St Kilda.
He also came with developed leadership skills, having captained South Australia to victory in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
It's something he's been encouraged to demonstrate among the players so he continues to grow as a potential future leader of the club.
"They're realising that it's going to be tough [to show] in games early on but to try and implement it on the training track, which is something they've spoken about to me and I'm trying to do that," he said.
"Hopefully I'm improving week by week and starting to try and bring it into games."
Dunstan has been mentored by seasoned veteran Lenny Hayes this year, which he said had been "massive" in his early development and settling into the club.
He also said he wasn't alone in wanting to see Hayes play into a 17th season in 2015.
"I think everyone would, wouldn't they? You couldn't ask for a better bloke at a club," he said.
"He's a friendly guy and everyone gets along well with him.
"Obviously he's a jet and we'd love to see him stay.
"He took me under his wing from day one and the club set up a mentoring program, which has helped all the young guys.
"We're doing a lot of extra stuff together and going through vision before games and that sort of thing – he's been awesome."
