AN OFF-SEASON spent training with some of St Kilda's best runners has helped set Tim Membrey up for a big 2018 as he aims to cover more ground and make life tough for opposition defenders.

Membrey was the Saints' leading forward in 2017 with 38 goals, but his running power is likely to see him push up the ground as a hybrid forward this season, leaving Paddy McCartin and Josh Bruce as deeper marking targets. 

The 23-year-old hoped his ability to set new personal running benchmarks this summer would translate on field as he covers more ground in the post-Nick Riewoldt era at St Kilda.

"I trained quite a lot with Jarryn Geary, Dylan Roberton and Jack Steven in the off-season, and training with those guys through the week and trying to keep up with them has helped me improve," Membrey told AFL.com.au. 

"Since the start of pre-season I've been able to do the majority of my running in those groups as well, so that does help.

"I've been able to run personal best times and then improve in the gym and that's what you want to do each year coming into pre-season … keep improving and just get fitter and stronger."

Membrey is one of the Saints' most powerful athletes, with elevation that allows him to play deceptively tall and a combination of endurance and repeat speed that allows him to run opponents off their feet.   

His emergence as an elite runner can be traced back to a shoulder operation at the end of 2015 and the non-contact pre-season that followed, with his ability to cover the ground in training and on game day now similar to the Saints' midfielders. 

Riewoldt spent much of his final season pushing onto a wing and using his running power to present as a marking target, and Membrey is ready to fill a similar role in 2018.

"I remember at the start of last year, me and 'Roo' had a big chat about that sort of positioning," Membrey said. 

"Being able to get up the ground and help our mids and help our backs, and then as soon as the ball gets turned over you're already in a good position where you're off your opponent and you can be used as an outlet. 

"So I guess finding marks up the ground that way and then re-setting on your opponent and trying to lose them through all the junk and the noise and find yourself open inside 50." 

Membrey has also focused on building his leadership capacity this pre-season and helping the club's young forwards, like McCartin, develop. 

With 82 goals across the past two seasons and an accurate set shot, he shapes as one of the Saints' most important players as the club seeks a finals spot for the first time under coach Alan Richardson.

"The last two or three years I've been able to put some consistent football together and I think being able to do that is something I'm very proud of and something I want to keep doing," Membrey said.

"Now it's about dragging the younger forwards along as well. We want to be a consistent team, so we want as many players as possible playing good footy.

"If we're able to do that, hopefully we'll be able to play finals."