No question that St Kilda have failed to maintain their top 8 spot on the ladder in the first 7 games, after over-achieving in 2023, and that was not what I had anticipated!
Singling out Ross Lyon as being responsible for this dire situation is quite unfair, but not surprising as it is well known that the media delight in getting stuck into him when the team is down!
If you go back to his statements when he was brought back to the club, in a bold move by the Board, not once did he promise that his team would contend for finals in his first two years – to the contrary, he made it clear that it would take well into 25/26 to get to that stage. This was endorsed at the time by club president Andrew Bassat, and reiterated just a few weeks ago in a message to members.
A lot of supporters who are disgusted with Lyon’s return to Moorabbin cite his distaste in the past for playing young recruits, yet that is exactly what he has done in both seasons so far which acknowledges that he considers the list is sub-standard, which we all know!
In fact he only established A grade players on the list right now are Sinclair, Wilkie and Marshall – certainly less than Richmond and no better than North Melbourne and Hawthorn!
That said there’s no doubt that they have played poorly in most games so far this year (as has Brisbane btw!!) and if they can regain their mojo in the next 2 rounds they should get their season back on track.

Quite correct Christo, there’s no need for the new stadium to have a roof to start off with – other than Docklands there is not another AFL stadium in the other states that have a roof!
Just build it as an open stadium with provision to add a roof at some time in the future if and when that becomes acceptable to Tasmanians. Leaving the roof off should reduce the cost by at least one third when you consider all the compexities of building an enclosed stadium – not least air conditioning and ventilation.

I’m not a Tasmanian but I can se merit in the arguments of both the “No” and “Yes” camps.

To me the main issue is for Tasmania at long last having it’s own team playing in the AFL.

But it has long concerned me greatly that the AFL, by conributing a paltry $15 million to the fancy new stadium at Macquarrie Point, should not in any way be entitled to dictate to the Tasmanian government and people that the new licence is subject to building that venue.

None of the other interstate “expansion” clubs, all 8 of them, were required to do so.

The other states, especially Qld, NSW, and WA, have large populations and very strong economies reaping billions of dollars annually from mineral export royalties.

Conversely, Tasmania has a tiny population, smaller even than the Gold Coast and simply can’t justify prioritising the $375 million (expected to be substantially more) on a stadium ahead of other far more pressing issues such as affordable housing, health, education and transport infrastructure.

The more sensible approach by the AFL would have been to allow the new Tasmanian team to start off in 2028 playing matches at Blundstone and UTAS stadiums which are unquestionably up to scratch for AFL games – as validated by Hawthorn and North Melbourne playing there regularly. If it is decided that both venues need minor renovations the costs will be comparatively smaller and more acceptable to the people.

Then, in the fullness of time, the construction of a state of the art stadium will surely eventuate organically without the division and stress that hounds the current proposal.

I live interstate but am totally opposed to playing the GF anywhere but the MCG, the home of AFL football. Nowhere else in Australia is there a stadium that will hold 100,000+ spectators. I went to the 3 GFs in 2009/2010 and although disappointed with the Saints failing to win a second premership, the buildup to all 3 games was electric, the whole city was vibrant with the teams colours and the atmosphere in and around the G was something to behold, there’s nothing remotely like it and that can’t be replicated in an interstate city!

How can you say “both (Collingwood and Port) beaten them comfortably” NH when the margin was just 6 and 7 points respectively and in both games the result was in doubt till the last minute of the game?? Against Collingwood the coach admitted afterwards that it was a mistake not to have someone stick with Nick Daicos and against Port Jason Horne Francis was likewise given far too much latitude to drive the ball into attack from stoppages.

Yes, it’s still far too soon to pass judgement on St Kilda’s fortunes in 2023 but there is no doubt that they are a far different team than in 2022 and have shown a lot of potential to play finals. Who knows, once in the finals they could well go all the way, especially with Max King back at FF and teaming up with “The Hammer” Caminiti to provide a powerful forward line.

A reasonable summary of the 2023 under Ross Lyon by Christian Montegan, but he has failed to acknowledge that not only are St Kilda defending well and suffocating forward attacks by the opposition, but they have also pulled the trigger and kicked winning scores to take the game out of reach.

Lyon and his assistants have crafted a totally new game plan and given players dedicated roles which they so far have carried out magnificently.

The most impressive aspect of the 2023 Saints is that despite the unavailability of King, Membrey, Steele, Billings and a host of other quality players, and now Webster and Wood, the players selected have performed well above their status, won the first three matches and sit on top of the ladder.

This is entirely due to very good coaching by Lyon, Enright, Harvey and Hayes!

When this story was first revealed by the ABC bang smack in the middle of the AFL’s Grand Final week it made me wonder how they managed to get hold of the review, which after all was commissioned by Hawthorn FC following the spat between Jeff Kennett and the Rioli family – it would have to be someone at either Hawthorn or in the inner sanctum of the AFL. Naming the coaches without affording them the opportunity to provide their side of the story is highly unusual, and by revealing their identity obviously leaves the ABC exposed to multi-million dollar defamation claims if the players’ accusations are proven to be false.
In any event, it is also very clear to me that the only way that this matter can opnly be resolved by a full judicial inquiry, called in this instance appropriately by the Human Rights Commission, with all witnesses subjected to give evidence sworn under oath.
Any inquiry conducted by the AFL will be entirely worthless and only serve delay the inevitable judicial inquiry by many months, which is not in anyone’s interest.

There’s only a few times that I have disagreed with your analysis Stirling, and you’ve always been entertaining. Your bold prediction that the Mighty Saints would finish 4th this year, whilst brave, confirmed to me that you are a true AFL aficionado! Alas it wasn’t to be, but the drought is due to break in 2022, as it did for the Doggies and Demons in the past few years, so you can confidently back them again next year.

Best wishes for whatever you do in the future!

Bulldogs will win because they’ll have 3 extra men on the field at all times – umpires have awarded the Dogs 503 free kicks v 420 against which is a HUGE margin. Last time they met in round 19 Bulldogs got 25 frees but only 11 against.

Many of these frees have resulted in goals, Weightman alone got 4 goals from free kicks when they played the Bombers in the elimination final, and that’s just not on….but that’s what the stats show us and sad to say will give the Doggies their 3rd premiership.

Dogs by 11, Bailey Smith the Normie

Quite a reasonable and fair analysis of St Kilda and D- rating is about right as they did come good after the mid season break – you also needed to take into account the team’s significant injury list which inevitably has to have had an impact on their performance.
Luke Dunstan should have a good read of an article written by Jon Ralph in yesterday’s Australian profiling Christian Petracca’s “Road to Damascus” where he reveals the things he needed to do to become a better person, player and team mate – in fact it should be required reading for all footballers seeking to become elite….because in reality Luke has not achieved the levels that he is capable of reaching in his 8 years with the Saints.
The other factor that is crucial is St Kilda’s very poor record in developing young talent – Jack Billing is a prime example of a high draft pick (#3 in 2013) that in my view if he was at one of the successful clubs would have become elite quite some time ago. Recent comments by Brett Ratten indicates that the club will be addressing this matter in 2022, not before time!!
All things being equal and given a better run with injuries I expect St Kilda to challenge for top 4 in 2022….

Haha – rightly so, they obviously didn’t sneeze into their elbows as suggested during the Covid 19 pandemic

A fair summary of where the Saints are at this year, not too concerned about rating as the “oldest list” as not too many of the +30s players are likely to play all that many games (having been brought in for depth), so that stat is quite meaningless as the Best 22 will be considerably younger.

St Kilda’s prospects for 2021 will be seriously enhanced if a number of their more experienced highly rated players, such as Jake Carlisle, Jack Billing, Luke Dunstan and Bradley Hill lift their game to elite standard consistently, and Dan Hannebery stays fully fit!

Great summary Stirling and as a life-long (over 60 years) Saints supporter I am starting to feel quietly confident that St Kilda will make a real challenge for finals this year, and who knows in 2021! Their defensive 6 this year is in my view the best ever and that includes the glory years in late 90s and 2009/2010. and testament to both the list managers and coaches. They’re probably still one elite midfielder short to win a premiership and I would give an arm and a leg to entice Toby Greene over from GWS, which is not as silly as it sounds if reports that GWS need cap space are correct.
The capitulations against North and Freo whilst disheartening were aberrations and the way they were able to see the games out to secure wins in Adelaide in the past 2 games would indicate that this is unlikely to happen again.
As you mention, the upcoming matches against Brisbane, GWS and Eagles are crucial, especially the latter if that is played in Perth.
The club is clearly on a mission under excellent management by the Board and the enlightened leadership of their Football department, so we can dare to hope again!

No-one yet knows how long it will be before the competitions resume, but I am quite confident that when it does it will be “business as usual” with some temporary adjustments to players payments until the economy picks up – which could stretch out over a number of seasons.

The current crisis is not WW III, and all we need to do is to see how well the western world recovered after WWII, with Australia booming in the ’50s.

Naturally as a Saints supporter for over 60 years I am biased in my views but it is a long time since I have seen so much depth in the St Kilda list as exists in 2020. I agree that both Dan Hannebery and Paddy Ryder will be in the best 22, and expect Dan Butler and “Bennelong” to also feature regularly. But the thing that excites me most is the prospect of Josh Battle being developed as a swingman, and who better to teach him the tricks of that trade than Jarryd Roughead, who like Battle is 193 cm, the same as the mighty Bont! St Kilda’s chances of playing finals this year is in my view heavily dependent on how quickly Max King will produce the goods that are expected of him, but as this year is effectively his 2nd and given the great form he showed as a junior, he could well do that from day one, not unlike Justin Koschitske who played 20 games in his first year at St Klda. My prediction: 7th

Thanks for the wrap Josh, but a bit disappointed that you didn’t make any mention of the Saints performance against North where you only really talked about North. As one of those rusted on Saints for Life supporters I was quite impressed with the improvement by the team, especially by Paddy McCartin who is finally shaping up as a gun forward. He reminds me of Matthew Richardson and could easily emulate the former Tiger full forward, and if so, help the Saints rise up the ladder.
Most impressed with your weight loss and commitment to getting fit. Keep it up mate – at 79 I still run an average of 40 km a week and do all the fun runs around Brisbane and the 2 Coasts, the highlight every year for my wife and I is the Gold Coast Half Marathon, I’m currently undergoing a 2 year programme of immunotherapy for metastatic melanoma so have extra motivation to hit the road even harder! Have a crack at the Gold Coast Half, 1st Sunday in July, a truly great course and enjoyabel event!!

Like you, I’m a long suffering Saints supporter Boomer, since the late ’50s, and there’s no doubt that the times of joy have been few and far between. But I wouldn’t dream of switching to another team. I explain to my friends that after all these many years, us loyal and true Saints supporters have been awarded honorary doctorates in grief counselling, because we can handle the pain and distress of losing like no other supporter, and never fail to remain positive about the future and “keep the faith”. There’s always next year!
As for the Hannebery trade, I doubt that the Saints will part with their 1st round draft pick, though if it manages to land Dylan Shiel I would consider that a big win because our club’s success in picking the best future star with picks 1 – 5 in recent years has been lamentable – to wit Luke Ball (Judd & Bartel), Jack Billings (Marcus Bontempelli), Paddy McCartin (Christian Petracca) .
Despite all of the doom and gloom that Saints supporters report in social media, I can see no point in getting all worked up about decisions by the club that we may disagree with because at the end of the day, we are not privy to what goes on behind the scenes, and I am prepared to place my trust in the club’s management of the team.

If supporters are unhappy they are free to go elsewhere…..

Currently St Kilda have announced the departure of Tony Elshaug, Simon McPhee, Rohan Welsh, Lindsay Gilbee and Adam Kingsley. But no mention so far of Danny Sexton, the Saints’ Director of Coaching, who to my mind should shoulder more responsibility for the team’s serious decline in the past 18 months than even Alan Richardson. Sexton, who has never personally played AFL at the elite level, has been at the club in various roles since 2006. It is staggering to think that he should be retained for 2019 because surely after 12 years it is time for the club to bring in a new Director of Coaching. That Richo, and next year Ratten and Lade, are going to be answerable to a Director of Coaching who lacks the experience of having played senior football and whose track record in the past 6-7 years in senior coaching roles is less than satisfactory, is an insult to their reputations, status and professionalism. If Sexton survives the football department review by Simon Lethlean it will indicate to club members and supporters that he has failed to clear the decks, so essential to turn around the team’s fortunes in 2019!