Drafted by the Saints in 2001, the Saints midfielder was initially compared to a young Ian Stewart, widely considered one of the all-time greats.
Since then he has established himself as the most skilful player in one of the most promising sides of the AFL.
But when things fail to go to plan fingers are pointed at the 24-year-old, something he understands as being part of the job.
“When you’re in the situation it is difficult to deal with because you’re not used to it and it is personal. In general the media are a little bit too intense on individuals,” Dal Santo said.
“We have had our fair share this year because we haven’t lived up to expectations … personally I probably deserved it at the time. I wasn’t playing the football I would have liked to and wasn’t contributing.”
For all the external expectations, Dal Santo is his own hardest marker. Despite being quick off the mark and an excellent kick on either side, he is forever working on his perceived weaknesses such as his defensive game.
Over the last 12 months he has been eager to chase and tackle, which he admits hasn’t always been the case.
“It’s still something I’m working on and the coaching staff is helping me with. I’ve been more of a naturally offensive and attacking player but I don’t think you can get by on having just the one side of your game in this day and age in football,” he said.
“I’m nowhere near where I’d like to be but it’s better than I have been in previous years.”
Goalkicking and shaking a tagger are two more strings Dal Santo is working on adding to his bow, but one thing that has never bothered him is his ability to find time and space in an increasingly frantic game.
“It is one of those things in my game that comes naturally. If you think too much about it you miss your opportunity to do it,”
“It’s only when you look back on it you realise how you did it. When you’re in the moment it comes naturally.”
Dal Santo is one of the many starring acts in the St Kilda midfield and says it helps to have depth in the engine room.
“If you analyse successful sides, one thing they have in common is a lot of guys that are able to go through the midfield,” he said.
“Bally (Luke Ball) has had a lot of troubles with his body and he’s definitely getting on top of it. His work rate has showed that over the last few weeks.”
Another midfield option is Dal Santo’s former housemate Brendon Goddard, who has made every post a winner since returning from a knee reconstruction earlier this season.
The pair are close friends, but Dal Santo said he never had to lend a helping hand to his mate during his nine-month recovery.
“He was pretty good to be honest. He’s pretty intense with his football and takes it seriously. He worked hard to come back strongly and it is a credit to him that he has been able to come back and play the way he is,” he said.
As the mid-way point of the season nears, Dal Santo says the Saints are primed for a big run home to the finals despite not necessarily living up to those high expectations.
“We’ve got to keep it in perspective. We were getting a lot of criticism even when we were sitting fifth on the ladder. If you read the paper you would have thought we were coming last. Our season is intact, we’re 5-5 and it gives us a good launching pad into the second half of the year.”
