St Kilda 2024: From exploration to consolidation
This time last year, Saints fans were heading into the unknown. On the eve of our 150th year, new / old coach Ross Lyon dubbed it a ‘year of exploration.’ Alongside a host of returning club legends, the team overcame early season injuries and inconsistent mid-season form to eventually finish 6th. An elimination final at the MCG in front of nearly 70,000 fans, whet the appetites of an emerging group of youngsters who are now hungry for more.
In the off season, list changes were reflective of the Lyon mantra, focusing on speed and ball use. Gresham, Billings and Bytel, long-time fan favourites (and sometimes frustraters) departed, alongside Coffield, and McKenzie, Connolly, Peris, Highmore, and Adams. Into the fold came senior players Liam Henry, Paddy Dow and Riley Bonner, who all appear adequate replacements, while draft night netted us another promising group of youngsters in Wilson, Collard, Hastie, Garcia, Schoenmaker, and O’Connell.
While Saints fans are largely optimistic, most pundits remain unconvinced, predicting a fall for a team that spend the entirety of 2023 in the eight. Did the Saints catch teams off guard? Can the youngsters continue to develop? Does St Kilda have enough midfield talent? Can the stars stay on the park? While some scepticism is warranted, there is no reason to believe that St Kilda should not be as good as, or better, than last year. If 2023 was a year of exploration, 2024 should be a year of consolidation.
#1 Defence
St Kilda’s defence was the number one in the league last year, which is no surprise for a Ross Lyon coached team. The achievement, a remarkable turnaround in less than 12 months, was recognised by the All Australian selectors, who rewarded Jack Sinclair and Callum Wilkie with starting positions in the team.
In a year of consolidation, the back six should be aspiring to retain their status as the stingiest defence in the AFL. Howard, Battle, Webster and Wanganeen-Milera round out the starting six, while Stocker, Cordy, and Paton have all shown they are capable replacements if required (as they will be, following injury and suspension). Across the ground, St Kilda’s defence is the most settled of all areas, and we all know that from there, premiership teams are built.
All-Australian Callum Wilkie will be leading the St Kilda defence again in 2024.
The Middle
The reputation of St Kilda’s midfield as one paced is sure to change in 2024, with Steele, Ross and Crouch to have much more support and speed. Liam Henry and Paddy Dow, while not game breaking stars, are handy, and quick additions, and the astute recruitment of Riley Bonner offers Ross Lyon the luxury of injecting Jack Sinclair into the middle.
If there is any concern about the St Kilda midfield it’s that improvement must be driven from within. However, as we saw last year, there is no reason to believe this cannot happen. Mitchito Owens and Marcus Windhager are continuing their development, Ryan Byrnes is coming off a career best year, and Matheas Phillipou is showing no signs of second year blues. Meanwhile, first round draft pick Darcy Wilson looks set for an early season debut. On the wings, Hill and Wood had their best seasons in Saints colours last year, while Hunter Clark, if he can shake his injury curse, adds another exciting dimension.
Finally, there is the forgotten man of the St Kilda midfield, Zak Jones. Jones’ explosive speed is a potent weapon however his body is continuing to fail him. At 28, he remains an unknown for season 2024. Another veteran, two time Best & Fairest winner Seb Ross, is due to notch up his 200th AFL game early in the season. However, there is a growing consensus amongst the Saints faithful that if, by seasons end, Ross and Jones are fighting for their place in the team, then things will be going well.
In a year of consolidation, a settled and dynamic midfield, led by one of the best ruckmen in the game in Rowan Marshall, will be the catalyst for any finals berth.
The Saints team in the retro ‘Stickman’ guernsey, returning in 2024
Return of the King
The St Kilda forward line was, for most of 2023, a makeshift construction based on availability and form. Dan Butler was the only permanent forward to play every game, with excellent support from Mitchito Owens and Jack Higgins, while Zaine Cordy bobbed up for some memorable cameos. The twin towers of Membrey (7 games) and King (11 games) were replaced for much of the year with Anthony Caminiti (18 games) and Cooper Sharman (16 games) who both performed well. Now, with all four ready to go, and Jack Hayes nearing a return, the forward line looks to be the most potent is has been for years.
The crown of the St Kilda forward line rests heavily on the shoulders of young gun Max King. Entering his fifth season, King has had an uninterrupted pre-season, and by all reports is training brilliantly alongside disciples Tim Membrey and Cooper Sharman. In a year of consolidation, expectations are high, and if King can deliver on his enormous potential, then a 70 goal season and All-Australian guernsey is not out of the question.
Saints fans will be excited for the return of Max King and Tim Membrey in 2024
Best team
Selecting St Kilda’s best team is the most difficult it has been for many years.
Do Henry, Dow and Bonner slot straight in? None of them have harmed their chances in the pre-season. Will Howard bounce back in 2024, or is Cordy preferred? What is Ben Paton’s future? He appeared to fall out of favour late in season 2023. What of Stocker, Caminiti and Byrnes who all had solid years? Of the draftees, Darcy Wilson looks ready to go, so who does he dislodge, and who else may debut – Collard, Alison, Heath, Keeler? It’s a tough year for the selection committee, but a good problem to have.
B: Webster Howard Wilkie
HB: Sinclair Battle Wanganeen-Milera
C: Hill Steele Wood
HF: Higgins Membrey Owens
F: Butler King Sharman
R: Marshall Crouch Ross
I: Windhager, Phillipou, Henry, Clark, Dow (sub)
E: Byrnes, Stocker, Caminiti
