Tall Saint Ben McEvoy does battle with Mark Jamar. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun
FOR a player less selfless, Ben McEvoy's Colorado training camp experience could be dubbed sleeping with the enemy.
The 23-year-old has quickly established himself as St Kilda's top ruckman, but he faces competition from several sources.
Rhys Stanley has emerged as an athletic big man, Justin Koschitzke will likely play more ruck next year, and the club used draft pick 13 on Gold Coast youngster Tom Hickey.
For McEvoy, Hickey's recruitment is critical to the team's success..
"I am really excited about it," McEvoy said. "We were light on in the ruck department - that was no secret.
"We are rooming together over here, and we are getting to know each other, and he's fitting in really well.
"He is a very talented athlete and should be able to fill that void, and be able to do some damage up forward as well.
"It's not like I feel threatened. I want to be the best ruckman playing that No.1 role and if not, I have work to do. But if we have got all the blokes we have got on the park, it can be a real weapon for us."
McEvoy's steady upward form curve was arrested in 2012 by knee surgery after he took the most contested marks at the club in 2011.
The No.9 draft pick in 2007 is brutally honest about his inconsistency.
"I was a little bit disappointed with my year," he said. "I thought the year before I had showed a lot of improvement. I started slow and missed half a dozen games with injury. The second half was quite good and quite consistent, but I still feel I have more to give."
The off-season has been one of rapid change, with Brendon Goddard departing and an influx of draftees.
McEvoy knows critics will write off St Kilda after missing the finals, but he is bullish about the club's flag chances.
"I certainly don't advocate making predictions before the season starts, but you have to consider yourself a chance," he said.
"We still feel like we have got a young and exciting list, a game plan that stands up and if we execute it properly we are a real chance."
The loss of Goddard means Nick Riewoldt seems likely to keep the captaincy, with McEvoy effusive about the forward's leadership.
"I would love him to be captain," he said.
"If he thinks he is up for it, he is an exceptional captain. You would be hard-pressed to find a better man for the job."
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