>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Asked yesterday if there was a particular player that had surprised him behind closed doors, Watters offered up the man originally unwanted by Essendon in 1999 when he was dropped off its supplementary list.
''It's probably unfair to pull out one or two [players], but I guess, just from an immediate impact, Stephen Milne,'' he said. ''I didn't realise how committed he was to the team. He shows that in his training, his voice, his communication, continually being a really good role model for the other players.''
Milne said it was a ''massive shock'' when Lyon left for Fremantle but said the Saints' key group of senior players was determined to ensure the good times returned after a tumultuous 2011 campaign.
''There was a lot of talk in trade week that people were going, but all the senior core players are really strong and really a close-knit group,'' he said. ''For no players to stand up except [Zac] Dawson, who was offered a contract but wanted to go to Fremantle, other than that we stuck together and are really looking forward to attacking the new season under a new coach and a new game plan.
''Hopefully, I have two or three years left. Hopefully sneak that premiership in the next couple of years.''
and
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/c ... 6213084268Watters has glared at him from the opposition bench, but on watching him at close quarters at St Kilda he has a new respect.
"Steve has made an enormous impact. I did not realise how committed he is to the team. He is a good role model and he has surprised me a little,'' Watters said. Milne said he was excited to have a new coach and a new game plan, despite the loss of mentor and coach of five years Ross Lyon.
"It is like being in school for the first day - everything is new and fresh even though I've been at the club for 10 years,'' Milne said of the five new coaches and draft and rookie player additions.
"I have been lucky with injuries over the years and I reckon I have two or three years left in me, and hopefully we can sneak a premiership in that time.'' Watters also signaled that Koschitzke was another player who could find himself in various roles in 2012.
