A SURPRISE move to the wing was the catalyst for St Kilda's Jack Sinclair’s impressive form, helping him earn a new two-year deal to keep him at the club until the end of 2019.
Although Sinclair would rack up the footy in the midfield when in the VFL last year, he has often been used in the forward line since being selected with the first pick of the 2014 rookie draft.
It seemed that would again be the case for the 22-year-old as he spent the pre-season training with the forwards.
Coach Alan Richardson made Sinclair wait for a spot in the team but eventually brought him in for the round six clash against Hawthorn. The original plan was to have Sinclair line up mostly in attack, with spurts on the wing, but he started the game in a midfield role.
A few early touches and Sinclair was on his way. He collected 21 disposals and gained 567m as the Saints crushed Hawthorn down in Launceston by 75 points.
That was the start of a streak of 11 consecutive matches, the longest of his career.
Earning the faith of the coaches has given Sinclair more confidence.
"Early days, if I had one bad game I'd be pretty worried about losing my spot in the team, but I feel like I'm sort of getting there in terms of establishing myself in the team," Sinclair told AFL.com.au.
He was challenged to improve over the summer months after a difficult 2016 when he admitted he wasn't quite able to show the form he did in his debut season. Completing every session helped as he focused on his contested work and tackling, while he did plenty of running with childhood friend Jack Billings to help the fellow forward/wing improve his tank.
The pair met while playing Auskick and lived just a few minutes apart. They played footy, basketball and cricket together and were in the same year level at Scotch College.
Sinclair struggled with his footy in year 11 and was in and out of the firsts. His focus shifted to cricket, where the keeper/batsman showed some promise.
He turned down an invitation from the Oakleigh Chargers ahead of the 2013 season, but when asked during the season if he wanted to come back, Sinclair happily accepted and played a couple of games.
Draft time came and went and Sinclair wasn't picked up, which didn't surprise him. He recommitted to footy and, returning to the Chargers as an overage player, helped the side win the premiership.
He didn't know if his form would be enough to be picked up.
"At times I felt like I was a good chance, but as it gets closer you probably doubt yourself a bit.
“Come draft night, I wasn't too sure. I thought, if anything, it will probably be as a rookie," Sinclair said.
He showed enough for St Kilda to take a chance on him, and Sinclair has repaid the faith.
The Saints will hope he again impresses as they take on Sydney at the SCG on Saturday night in the Pride Game, which promotes inclusion in sports.
