Veteran Milne in the thick of it

Stephen Milne starred in St Kilda's first intraclub practice match of the year. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

CONSIDERING age and experience, Stephen Milne should have joined skipper Nick Riewoldt and best and fairest winner Lenny Hayes on the sidelines for St Kilda's first intraclub practice match yesterday.

Instead, the ageless little goalsneak was right in the thick of it at Seaford, as a standout performer setting a high bar for another productive AFL season.

Milne booted four goals and set up at least another three with his renowned crumbing work in tandem with "apprentices" Terry Milera and Ahmed Saad.

The form of the 258-games veteran was high on coach Scott Watters' list of encouraging signs from the workout that lasted nearly two hours.

Watters said Milne was on a modified training program early in the pre-season to protect a minor knee problem. But the 32-year-old stepped up his work when players resumed after the Christmas break.

"He won't play every NAB Cup game, but he is a player who thrives on hard work and has his whole career. He was pretty lively out there today," Watters said.

Milne looked sharp and keen and the coach continued to marvel at his leadership and example for younger teammates. He set up two of Milera's three goals while Saad chimed in with two.

Beau Maister, formerly Wilkes, was impressive among the tall targets with three goals, while young ruckman Tom Hickey, midfielders Jack Steven and David Armitage and defenders Farren Ray and James Gwilt looked in good touch.

Rhys Stanley, Sean Dempster and Adam Schneider were the other notable absentees from the opening practice match.

"Rhys has had some durability concerns over his career, so he's on a program that will have him prepared possibly for next week, but certainly over the next couple of weeks. He has been training fully and he's in good shape. It's all about having them ready for round 1," Watters said.

"We've come off with a few bumps and bruises, but no injuries which is the main thing this time of the year. I thought the ball movement was pretty clean and we can build on that."

A full complement of field, boundary and goal umpires supervised the modified game that gave players short breaks every 10 to 15 minutes in the heat for onfield drinks in groups.

Ruckman Ben McEvoy jogged to the dressing rooms with a trainer midway through the match and didn't return. But Watters said he was rested to manage his heavy workloads this season.

St Kilda starts its NAB Cup campaign against Adelaide and Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium next Sunday.

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