Former St Kilda skipper Luke Ball says veteran defender Max Hudghton is coping admirably with the disappointment of being frozen out of the team at a time when the club is bidding for its first premiership since 1966.
Hudghton is the only survivor at Moorabbin from the club's last grand final appearance in 1997 but the 33-year-old again looks set to miss selection for Friday night's preliminary final against the Bulldogs at the MCG.
The stunning form of Hawthorn recruit Zac Dawson has cost Hudghton his place in the side this year with the veteran having managed just seven games all season with his last being against Essendon in Round 20.
And unless Dawson or another of the Saints' tall defenders such as Jason Blake is injured on Friday night then Hudghton is likely to sitting in the stands if the Saints do qualify for only their second grand final appearance since 1971 by beating the Dogs on Friday night.
But Ball, who himself is no certainty to keep his place in the side on Friday night having played just three of the past nine matches, says Hudghton has not once let his personal disappointment at being overlooked show.
"What I will say about Max is he handled it exceptionally well and as well as you could expect for a guy that has played over 200 games for the club," Ball said.
"It has been tough for him but he hasn't let that show at all."
"He has huge respect at the club and the way he has gone about it in tough times has only added to that respect and all we can do is support him."
Ball has also been a victim of the Saints' vastly improved form and depth of quality players this season with the 2005 best and fairest winner, 2006 captain and 2007 co-captain having spent time in the VFL despite his standing within the club.
The 25-year-old says he is certainly not taking his place in the side for granted - after being recalled for the qualifying final win over Collingwood in which he wracked up 16 possessions - but admits 'it has been a challenging time'.
Even when recalled against the Pies, Ball was used sparingly in playing just 48 percent of game time but said he realises he has to make a contribution to the team to keep his spot in the line-up and can't use limited game time as an excuse if he doesn't.
"If you know that (being used on and off the bench) is your role going into the game then you can't use that as an excuse not to contribute," Ball said.
"If you know that's your role going in (to the game) then when you are out there you have got to let it rip and be effective and contribute as much as you can to the team and that is what I have been trying to do."