Their semi-final loss to Richmond may have been a hugely disappointing performance, but Brett Ratten’s first full year in charge of the Saints was a huge success.
This is a club that went from eight seasons (under two coaches) with no finals action and no identity, to a top-eight side – who won a final – with an exciting, defined gameplan. They’ve got players in their prime, great young reinforcements coming through and they’ve traded aggressively and effectively.
I’m a lot more bullish about their immediate prospects than fellow semi-final losers Collingwood – and will even go so far as to say I reckon they’ll finish higher in 2021 than any of this season’s thus far eliminated finalists (unless something drastic happens in the trade period).
But they’re not a premiership-calibre side just yet.
So, what went right for Ratten’s Saints this year – and what does need to address before Round 1 next year?
Let’s start with the good.
Firstly, St Kilda went from totally unthreatening up forward to being one of the most free-scoring teams in the AFL. After back-to-back 14th-place finishes on the scoring table, the Saints flicked the switch and became the fourth-best scoring side in 2020.
It’s the first time they’ve finished in the top eight for scoring since 2012.
Max King looks like all he’s been cracked up to be, Tim Membrey was solid in support, while Paddy Ryder and Rowan Marshall were both effective when thrown up forward too – making St Kilda one of the hardest forward lines to defend in the air this season
The big spark, of course, was the superb debut season in red, white and black from Dan Butler. His team-leading 29 goals also came with a league-leading 37 tackles inside 50 – a stat the Saints rocketed up to second in this year thanks as well to good support from Jack Lonie (10th) and Dean Kent (14th).
The Saints also improved dramatically in defence. Dougal Howard proved to be another superb recruit, while Jake Carlisle also enjoyed a renaissance and hopefully, for the club’s sake, re-signs. Ben Paton has also broken out as one of the competition’s premier small defenders.
Ryder’s ruckwork in tandem with Marshall saw them improve in the ruck, Zak Jones exceeded all expectations in his role as an inside mid, Jack Steele rose to new heights and Dan Hannebery, as sparingly as he appeared, showed he still had plenty of class when we was on the park.
The Saints were clicking in 2020. (Photo by Matt Roberts/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
So, how did it all end so emphatically against the Tigers – a team they’d defeated in the home-and-away season?
St Kilda’s two finals matches this season were incredibly informative; they showed off all of their strengths and just how good they can be when a game is played on their terms, while also exposing all of their weaknesses and how desperately they need to add more strings to their bow next year.
In both matches, the Saints narrowly lost the clearances, copped a bruising in the tackle count and got badly outdone in the inside 50 tally.
There were stretches in both matches where they were powerless to stop the ball movement of the opposition through the middle of the ground.
Against the Bulldogs, they benefited from Luke Beveridge’s reverse theme park selection policy, where only players under a certain height are allowed to play. Howard ran rings around the Doggies’ key forwards, while their woefully undersized defence was powerless to stop King, Membrey, Geary, Marshall and even Jarryn Geary clunking everything in sight.
Against the Tigers, it was a different story. Tom Lynch easily got the better of Howard, King and Membrey found it impossible to escape the clutches of Dylan Grimes and Nick Vlastuin and the Tiger midfield ran riot under a lack of pressure from their opponents.
Poor accuracy in front of goal exacerbated the woes of the forward line but, having blogged both games for The Roar, it was clear they played the same hand against Richmond that they did against the Bulldogs and the Tigers had all the answers.
So, what do they need to take care of between now and next season?
After a huge shopping spree last season, CEO Matt Finnis has boasted of St Kilda’s oodles of cap space and suggested they’ll open the chequebook again.
They’ve been linked with lots of big-bodied inside midfielders and that’s absolutely the way to go. The Saints need to be able to play a harder, grittier style of game when the situation calls for it.
They’ll miss out on Brad Crouch, by virtue of his desire not to play in Melbourne, but they’re making big plays at Tim Taranto and Jye Caldwell to aid them in the middle.
Trying to score Taranto is audacious at best, but they’ve got the Giants rattled on Caldwell – who looks to be a superstar in the making at just 20 years old.
Another player I’d like to see them have a go at is out-of-favour Fremantle midfielder Connor Blaklely. He played just the five games this season, but was a tackling, clearance-winning machine just a few short years ago and could add the missing layer of grunt to St Kilda’s engine room.
(Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Media/Getty Images)
As for other potential targets, I’m not so sure. I don’t like the fact they’ve been linked with out-of-favour key forwards, while I’d steer clear of Jordan de Goey – who they chased heavily last time he was out of contract. He fills a very similar role to Dan Butler and the money he’s asking for won’t be proportionate to how much he can actually improve the team.
In any case, it’s nice to see the club’s long-suffering supporters having something to look forward to for the first time since Ross Lyon was at the helm.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Not really. Hannebery and Gresham were missing for large chunks. Carlisle missed games, and so did Zak Jones.
Saints tragic
Guest
Saints have many issues to address before they truely are grand final contenders, none more than their entry into the forward 50. Bombing the ball to a contest of 3 against 1 continously and hopeing for the best does not work against good sides, eg Richmond, Ratten may heve brought something new to the Saints, some new recruits, some belief but the Saints still need a forward strycture and game plan, the above is not a game plan, the Saints have been doing the same for 10 years, they need a progressive, positive, thinking forwards coach. When Max King has 3 opponents picking of the ball each time it comes in where are the other forwards, why kick it their? Repeatedly,!, Insanity! How is a 20 year old developing forward going to beat 3 seasoned defenders. Or is it because he is 12 foot tall! Occasionally he will win out, occasionally a crumber will score but not often enough and consistently enough to be a force. From a long suffering Saints Fan who obviously sees a different game to most.
Kane
Roar Rookie
I wouldn't think so, have a look at their consistent output over the years. They have both had a big dollar contract and haven't improved one iota, in fact they have both gone backwards. Compare players on 450 to these 2 blokes and i reckon you would find the other blokes offer more consistently
Vercetti1986'
Roar Rookie
Easily the weakest area on the list. Steele is the only true A-grader in there but it non-negotiable they get a quality midfielder this off-season. Hill was disappointing but I expect him to be better next year. He contributed but he needs to be in the top 4 players on the ground each week on the money he is earning. There is still a lot of upside with him at least.
Vercetti1986'
Roar Rookie
Good article by the author. Seems to have a good understanding of St Kilda's list. I definitely agree that they need some more class in the midfield. It was clear Richmond had the better of them in that area on Friday when it mattered. Just on Friday's game, Carlisle's absence put a big hole in the defence and his inclusion may have made the contest much more even. St Kilda were pretty unlucky with a few score reviews, umpiring decisions and inaccuracy but Richmond were the better side and deserved to win. They need to close the gap with smart recruiting this off-season as mentioned. Jack Steele was exceptional this year but he needs support for next year as he will most likely receive more attention from the opposition. It would be a dream come true to get Taranto and Caldwell but realistically they will probably only get Caldwell. GWS appear to be a sinking ship right now and it is interesting how things have quickly slipped for them in just 12 months when the Saints were a bottom 6 side last year. I hope they steer clear of Crouch. He is an accumulator that doesn't do anything damaging with the ball and that is not what the Saints need in that area. Unfortunately, it appears there isn't any true A grade midfielders this off-season but Caldwell would be a good get. Maybe some more support for Max King would be good too. He was very impressive this season and was a big upgrade on Josh Bruce but he needs to back up this year and work on some areas of his game to take the next step. Overall, it was a great season for the Saints. I don't think too many people gave them chance to make finals this year but everything just clicked and it was surprising that they managed to finish above gws, collingwood and the dogs after last year. I just hope they aren't a one hit wonder like Melbourne were in 2018 and can back this year up. I have feeling things are different now and they understand what needs to be done to be a good, consistent side with Ratten running the show.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
450 is a bit harsh but generally I don’t disagree. Both have pots. Their fitness is a reflection of their commitment.
Kane
Roar Rookie
Both De Goey and Stringer are lazy who unfortunately will never realise their potential whilst they are getting terribly overpaid. They're both worth no more than 450 a year with incentives on career to date form.
Liam Clark
Roar Guru
We definitely need some gritty players in the midfield. While De Goey is a great talent, I do not believe he is the answer for our club. I could be wrong, but we seemed to get flogged in clearances against the Tigers so improving our midfield is crucial
Brian
Guest
I'm bullish on the Saints but their injury run was good
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
Yeah maybe. He'll have to live with the consequences of what he allegedly did, and those consequences may not go away quickly. I put him in the same boat as Stringer; I actually rate them on a par; both are capable of pulling off the sublime but both are capable of going missing for large periods of time. Maybe it's the role they play, but neither are midfielders, regardless of their "bullness", so they're always going to be up and down. Up and down players aren't elite.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
He's got some pretty heavy duty stuff hanging over his head at the moment, if he gets off I think he'll be elite.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
If they could get Taranto, whoa, that would be the get of the year for sure. Super talent
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
I think Saints have to plan as if Hannebery isn't reliably available, given that he hasn't been since 2016.
Stirling Coates
Editor
I think Hannebery and Jones are better on the outside, getting a bigger body in the middle is still a must.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Matt Rowell is perfect for all 18 clubs
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
They just needed some belief and Carlisle and they would have been right in that game against the Tigers. Hannerbury being fully fit for a whole season along with Jones and Steele will provide them with enough grunt. I’d be making sure Max King knows he’s needs to tackle in the off season was watching him and he didn’t seem to like running both ways much
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
I reckon the Dogs should be asking Tarrant if he'd like a run in the red, white and blue for a couple of years.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
I agree they need a gun inside mid to boost their ball winning, which will help the likes of Brad Hill. Matt Rowell would be perfect, but maybe Clayton Olliver or Ben Cunnington is worth pursuing. They were also horribly exposed down back when Carlisle didn't play, so they need another option capable of competing with the big boys - maybe Astbury or Tarrant.
Stirling Coates
Editor
Can't agree with you there Don. Yes, St Kilda missed their chances when they had the ascendancy, but they absolutely did not outplay Richmond at all.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
I said 'elite' players...