Sean Dempster Biography

Seb Ross claims his first Trevor Barker award as St Kilda's best and fairest after a career-best season in 2017.

Ross finished with 159 votes ahead of gun backman Dylan Roberton (124) and captain Jarryn Geary (121).

Ross paid tribute to retirees Nick Riewoldt, Leigh Montagna, Sean Dempster and Sam Fisher, who finished up after the end of the 2016 season, for teaching him valuable lessons.

"The legacy you left on me, you taught me how to work as a young kid," Ross said.

"It probably took me three or four years to figure it out and those three or four years watching you guys each day in your own life, you just put your head down and your bums up and you worked hard, you're as loyal as they come, you're some of the greatest blokes I've ever met and I just wish you guys well in the future."

Sean Dempster will join Hawthorn in a strength and conditioning role.

The 33-year-old will work closely with the Box Hill players and rehabilitation group.

"Sean built a career that spanned over 200 games and included a premiership and an All Australian selection, so he certainly knows what it takes to make it at the elite level," football manager Jason Burt said.

"His knowledge and experience, both from his time in the game and his exposure to strength and conditioning programs, will be incredibly valuable for our players."

Sean Dempster says it was upsetting his character was questioned in his final weeks as an AFL player.

"Being a quiet person that stays away from the media as much as possible, to have your character questioned, for me, was upsetting," Dempster said.

"It was kind of the first time that I was questioned as a person and my character being questioned.

"I found that difficult given it was based on untruths. That was hard."

Sean Dempster announces his retirement, citing fears that any further head injuries could impact his life after football.

The 33-year-old said his most recent head knock against Port Adelaide in the JLT Community Series had made him think about his future in the game.

"I copped a little head knock and given my history over my career of receiving quite a few head knocks I've decided that it's a risk that's too great for me," Dempster told the club's website.

"Especially now that I've got a young family, it's more than just worrying about myself it's what it means to my wife and my young daughter.

"For the last couple of weeks the club has given me some time to myself and some time to go and get some independent testing done, which I'm still going through at the moment and is an ongoing assessment.

"The testing had nothing to do with my want to retire, I know it's the best thing to do for me and my family."

Saints coach Alan Richardson slams speculation surrounding Sean Dempster's relationship with club.

"What I would like to clear up is the speculation around an incredibly highly respected footballer at our footy club, almost getting overly disappointed with non-selection and giving the game away. It couldn't be any further from the truth," Richardson said.

"We're talking about a bloke that has bled for our footy club for a long time that needs to get some things sorted out. We'll give him the time to do that. There's no timeframe on that.

"He'll work with our medical staff closely in the next couple of weeks and hopefully then, when he sits down with his family and close friends, he can make a decision in the best interest of Sean Dempster and our footy club."

St Kilda confirms that veteran defender Sean Dempster is considering his future.

Dempster, 33, was not selected for the club's round one clash against Melbourne last Saturday and did not line up for Sandringham in a VFL practice match the following day.

Saints football manager Jamie Cox said there was no bad blood between club and player.

"Sean has been an absolute warrior for the Saints for many years," Cox said in a club statement.

"At the moment, he is seeking medical advice to best equip him to make a decision regarding his future as an AFL footballer.

"Whilst the medical consultation Sean is currently receiving coincides with him not being selected in the Saints senior team, there is no ill will between Sean and the club.

"Sean is a very private person and we wish to respect that while he seeks this advice."

Jarryn Geary will be the St Kilda's new captain for 2017.

Geary takes over the role from Nick Riewoldt, who was skipper for 220 games. That tally ranks Riewoldt third on the all-time list for most VFL/AFL games captained, behind Carlton's Stephen Kernahan (226) and Essendon's Dick Reynolds (224).

Riewoldt, Leigh Montagna, Sean Dempster and Sam Gilbert took themselves out of contention for the leadership group, and thus the captaincy. Those players, known as the 'four elders', make up the Saints' over-30 contingent.

"Before that vote, Montagna, Riewoldt, Gilbert and Dempster got up and said 'Don't vote for us, we're out. Time for you blokes to drive it. We think you're ready'," Saints coach Alan Richardson said.

Midfielder Seb Ross, Dylan Roberton and Josh Bruce are St Kilda's newest official leaders. They join Geary, Jack Steven, David Armitage, Jack Newnes and Maverick Weller.

"If we had six players who got lots of votes and then there was a gap, we'd have six (in the leadership group). As it turned out, we had eight, because those guys were voted in really strongly," Richardson said.

Sean Dempster signs a one-year contract extension with St Kilda to remain at the club in 2017.

"Sean leads by example with his impressive approach to training and preparation and he has been extremely reliable and durable over the years," St Kilda chief operating officer Ameet Bains said.

"With his level of experience, Sean will remain a strong presence down back and will continue to mentor our younger players and assist in their development."

Sean Dempster will undergo knee surgery and be out of action for up to a month.

Dempster left the field early in the third quarter of the Saints' loss to the Crows.

A return to his consistent and damaging form of 2013 has seen St Kilda's Jack Steven win his second club best and fairest.

Steven, 25, claimed the Trevor Barker Award on Monday night at Crown Palladium from midfield teammate David Armitage and super consistent veteran defender Sean Dempster.

Sean Dempster will extend his career into a 14th season next year after re-signing with St Kilda.

Dempster, 31, was due to become a restricted free agent at the end of this season but announced he had signed a new one-year deal.

"There have been some exciting things happening at the club this year and a really good feeling around the place," Dempster said.

"We have a lot of quality young players coming through, particularly in the backline and I am thrilled to be a part of the group for at least another year."

Nick Riewoldt has further enhanced his reputation as one of the game's greats by claiming his sixth St Kilda best and fairest award.

Riewoldt polled 137 votes to win the Trevor Barker Award ahead of retiring midfielder Lenny Hayes, who came in second with 126.

Defender Sean Dempster placed third with 101.

"It's a huge honour," Riewoldt said.

"I feel a little guilty spoiling the party with Lenny tonight but it's a huge honour and it's a highly respected award named after a highly respected person in the club's history.

"It's a privilege to be able to win that award."

Sean Dempster signs a new one-year deal with the Saints.

"The Saints have been fantastic and I couldn't ask for a better club to be involved with," Dempster said.

"They've shown faith in me by offering the contract so I am happy to be part of the Saints family for an extra year."

Nick Riewoldt chalks up record-equalling ninth year as Saints captain after being named as skipper of the club on Friday.

The Saints' leadership group will also comprise Leigh Montagna, David Armitage, Sean Dempster, Jarryn Geary and Lenny Hayes.

"I think we've felt a little bit disappointed the last couple of seasons about our ability to do that so we need to continue to display strong behaviours, especially around the ones we hold important," Riewoldt said.

"That's what the group was voted in on, to continue to do that and defend the Saints' trademark that we've come up with, and on-field performance comes into that, and to really drive and accelerate the growth from underneath and within the footy club.

"We've got a pretty clear mandate, we've spoken about that as a group and I think the rest of the players are aware of what we want to get out of being in this role."

Sean Dempster faces a month out of football after fracturing his wrist against Richmond in round 2.

Dempster still played on in that after hurting his arm, a move defended by St Kilda coach Scott Watters.

"We wouldn't put a player back out there if he wasn't cleared from our doc," Watters said.

"There are minor fractures and severe fractures. It was taped and he was OK to play.

"There was no way that we would have a player out there if there was any potential long-term ramifications."

Nick Riewoldt will captain St Kilda for an eight successive season under a new leadership structure.

Riewoldt will be joined by Leigh Montagna, Nick Dal Santo, Ben McEvoy, James Gwilt, David Armitage, Sean Dempster and Jarryn Geary in the leadership group after Sam Fisher and Adam Schneider decided to step aside.

Sean Dempster is named in the back pocket of the 2012 All-Australian side and says he has coach Scott Watters to thank for his standout season.

"Over the last few years, my way of contributing to the team was in more of a defensive role," he said.

"Since Scott's come in, from day one he gave me confidence in the other areas of my game that I probably hadn't realised and used in the last few years."

Five Grand Finals and third in St Kilda's best and fairest, but few fans appreciate the work of Sean Dempster.

"I think it is hard for the outsiders to see roles within a team. A lot of people tend to look at stats whereas the club holds a high worth on what role players play and their ability to contribute to the team that doesn't necessarily mean gathering possessions," Dempster said.

"In the backline, it's not about how many touches you get, it's what your opponent does and if you're helping your teammates.

"The outside perception is maybe that I don't get a lot of football and I don't contribute that much. But I think I help the team out with what I do."

With a dearth of tall defenders, St Kilda's Sean Dempster knows he will be relied on to play on the League's big-bodied forwards in 2012.

"I think the opportunity is there. We don't really have one big player to play the role," Dempster said.

"We've got a spread of blokes around the 190cm mark so there's a bit of responsibility on everyone's shoulders to play against the big key forwards."

St Kilda utility Sean Dempster is recalled to the senior side to play in the 2009 grand final but says that he feels for omitted teammate Robert Eddy.

"It's really hard. He played both finals and to miss out on the grand final, I really do feel for him," Dempster said.

"I haven't spoken to him yet. I didn't really think it was really appropriate to speak with him last night, because he was obviously feeling really bad and I didn't think it was necessary for me to talk to him yet."

While St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has used only 26 players this season, he is mindful not to overlook a group, including Matt Maguire, Sean Dempster and Robert Eddy, delivering consistent form each week with VFL affiliate Sandringham.

"There's not only Matt waiting for opportunities, I've got Armitage and Jack Steven and Raph Clarke in the seconds. So there's a number of players in the same position, Colm Begley another, who are fighting for a spot in the seniors," Lyon said yesterday.

"And I'm on record that, while players keep delivering, I'm not just going to make changes for the sake of it."