Scott Watters sadly conceded last season his side were officially in a rebuilding phase. And even as Alan Richardson’s tenure begins, St Kilda still are.
What I find interesting is the fact they are almost universally expected to finish down the tail end of the ladder this season. I’m not expecting them to play finals by any means, but I get the feeling the Saints may not be in for a year quite as torturing as many believe.
This side has a couple of midfield assets in Jack Steven and David Armitage who are only a step away from joining the elite bracket.
We musn’t forget the fact they have lost some serious experience and quality in Brendon Goddard and Nick Dal Santo in the past 18 months.
The Saints tasted victory just five times last season, yet the thing about them is, despite plenty of losses, they remained competitive most weeks and were rarely blown away.
They lost games to Port Adelaide, West Coast, Sydney, Richmond and Gold Coast by under 20 points.
Playing four quarters was one problem for the Saints, but also their inability to kick a winning score.
What St Kilda have done really well is plan for the future.
Despite losing Ben McEvoy, they are set up now with two young rucks in Tom Hickey and Billy Longer.
If the old heads in Nick Riewoldt and Leigh Montagna can fight on for one more year, who knows, St Kilda might well exceed expectations.
Let’s not forget the importance of All-Australian defenders in Sam Fisher and Sean Dempster.
St Kilda start the season off with games against the Giants and Melbourne. Should they come away with two wins here we could see a new breed of confidence that steers them to a respectable output of seven or eight wins.
I’m not expecting big things, but I get the feeling they can show a bit more than what many think.
Lachy
Roar Rookie
I don’t understand why in the space of one preseason all of a sudden Melbourne is miles ahead of St Kilda in the public’s eye. No matter how good a coach Paul Roos it is still going to take a considerable effort for Melbourne to turn it around. I think Melbourne will probably finish above St Kilda on the ladder, but I wouldn’t be sure of that. All of these people saying that the wooden spoon “winners” will only be St Kilda or GWS I wouldn’t speak so soon.
Lachy
Roar Rookie
Lachy
Roar Rookie
St Kilda won't have added another wooden spoon?
NeeDeep
Roar Pro
Who knows? The Saints are definitely looking to the future and they could finish from spooners to 10th, as far as I can work out. The Giants are the mob everyone reckons could challenge the Saints for the spoon. I reckon Brisbane look a bit ordinary as well. Melbourne could be big improvers, or not. Essendon could find over half their team suspended at any stage during the season, especially if Saad got rubbed out for 18 months over a sports drink which would have been OK on Friday, but wasn't on Saturday. The Bulldogs are showing a bit and Gold Coast seem to be on the way up. But if you lose 4 or 5 close games .............? The Power, Richmond, Collingwood, Carlton, West Coast and the Crows all appear to be in that next rung up, but none of them are guaranteed finalists and with a few close losses as well, could also find themselves suddenly sitting 12th or 13th. I agree, the Saints will probably finish towards the foot of the table - but what will be, will be. Is it better to finish last, or 13th - it doesn't really matter. The No. 1 draft pick is no guarantee of success and pick 4 or 5, could be worth just as much, if you get the right player. From here it is all about planning for the future, without "tanking", or "not tanking", depending what the AFL is saying at the particular time in question. Should Saints supporter be concerned - not at all.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
A decade is a long time to have to wait. Considering they were in the GF in 2010 I don't think it will take them till 2020 to get back into finals. Melbourne have been outside the 8 for a long while.7th in 2006, 7th in 2005, 5th in 2004, 6th 2002. A very poor record and woeful years in between those final years. Didn't really challenge anyone in those finals years either. Hopefully Roos can restore pride and reputation to the game's oldest club and one of the proudest clubs in the comp. Bottom 4 is still Saints area, bottom 2 is my prediction. The Saints do not have much in the way for being on the rise - Melbourne have Roos and competent players. Saints lack something is some of their players.
LX
Guest
You're more likely to have enjoyed winning more games of football?
alicesprings
Guest
Agree bottom 4 is a lock in unfortunately for the saints. Theres a few lean years ahead for saints supporters..trust they rebuild quicker than Melbourne!
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Bottom 4 for sure for the Saints
Axle an the guru
Guest
The suns were given more young talent than the bulldogs an saints have combined. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
TomC
Roar Guru
Can't say I'm convinced. Over the past few years the heavy lifting at St Kilda has tended to be done by the mature, senior players, most of the best of them have either left or are now over thirty. Teams generally rely on a solid core of players in their mid to late 20s who can do the work. The Saints don't really have that, apart from Armitage and Steven. There'll be many times this year when they field up to seven or eight players with fewer than 50 games and recent history tells us it's hard to be competitive in that case. That said, an over reliance on young players is an issue also to be faced by the Suns and the Bulldogs, and yet everyone seems happy assuming those two teams will finish ahead of the Saints.
Stam
Guest
As a saints supporter I would prefer us to make the finals or finish last, honestly what's the point of finishing 9-16?
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Nice hopes but with an improving comp they or the Giants will sit on the bottom with the other team just above them.