The Ultimate to the St Kilda Saints in the 2024 AFL Season

After defying expectations in 2023 with the return of Ross Lyon at the helm, the Saints secured themselves a coveted home final, marking a triumphant return to September action.

But the big question looms large: Can they maintain their momentum and secure a spot in the top eight, or perhaps even climb higher in the 2024 AFL season? With strategic moves during the trade and draft periods aimed at bolstering their ranks, the Moorabbin club is gearing up for a challenging season ahead. However, with Lyon’s seasoned leadership guiding the way, there’s no doubt they’ll be ready to face whatever comes their way in 2024.

Expectations are tempered yet optimistic for the Saints this year. While outsiders may doubt their ability to land a top spot on the ladder, those within the four walls of RSEA Park are laser-focused on another shot at finals glory. And with a promising batch of young talent emerging on Linton Street, the trajectory suggests that St Kilda might just be on the rise.

What do people expect from St Kilda this year?

Despite their impressive performance last season, according to popular belief, the St Kilda Saints have already been earmarked as the likely sliders in 2024. The consensus among pundits suggests that the Saints caught their opponents off guard with their finals appearance in 2023 but are anticipated to regress to the mean in the upcoming season.

For Ross Lyon, the scepticism from external sources might just be the perfect motivational fodder for his team. Lyon, no stranger to adversity, understands the power of doubt in fueling the fire within his players.

However, internally, a sense of optimism brewing within the club. Players like Mattaes Phillipou, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Mitch Owens, Max King, and Marcus Windhager show promising growth. At the same time, the infusion of new talents such as Liam Henry and Paddy Dow brings added quality to the midfield ranks.

Yet, Lyon and his coaching staff remain vigilant in setting the right tone within the team. Despite the success of the previous season, complacency will find no harbour within the Saints’ camp. Every player will be pushed to their limits, ensuring no one rests on their laurels after a strong showing in 2023.

What happened in the St Kilda Saints 2023 AFL season?

In 2023, a new era dawned at Moorabbin under the astute leadership of Ross Lyon. With his strategic vision, Lyon instilled a hard-running midfield ethos and implemented a new defensive system that proved to be a formidable force against their opponents.

The Saints kicked off the season in style, winning eight of their first 12 games and laying a solid foundation for a finals berth. Despite early setbacks, such as Max King’s shoulder injury sustained during the preseason and Jack Hayes’ absence due to injury, the team rallied together. Notably, Anthony Caminiti emerged as an unexpected hero, swapping his waiter’s apron from his family’s restaurant for the red, white, and black jumper.

The small forwards stepped up admirably, ensuring the scoreboard kept ticking over, while young talents like Mitch Owens, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, and Marcus Windhager spectacularly showcased their potential.

However, adversity struck again when Tim Membrey withdrew on the morning of the first final. Despite their best efforts, the Saints fell short against a slick GWS midfield outfit in the elimination final at the MCG. The defeat was a stark reminder of the gap between the Saints and the league’s top teams.

In 2024, all eyes are on Mattaes Phillipou 

The big-bodied midfield forward possesses a unique set of skills, capable of rising above the pack to secure a mark or threading through traffic to slot a goal on the run. While Phillipou showcased glimpses of his potential last season, a gruelling campaign took its toll, with the top-10 pick finishing the year in a relatively subdued fashion, averaging just nine touches in his last five games.

However, this year heralds a new beginning for Phillipou. With his fitness steadily improving—evidenced by his impressive performances on the training track during the preseason—he’s poised to take on greater responsibilities in leading the Saints into this new era.

Under the watchful eye of Ross Lyon, Phillipou won’t be handed anything on a silver platter. Lyon’s demanding ethos ensures that regardless of talent, every player must earn their stripes through hard work on the training ground and consistent efforts on game day.

Phillipou’s potential is immense, and the Saints are banking on him to evolve into a bona fide star of the competition once he accrues the necessary AFL experience—ideally, around 100-150 games. Despite being overlooked by Essendon in favour of Elijah Tsatas at pick five in the 2022 draft, Phillipou’s trajectory suggests that it was indeed a close call between the two talents.

Where do we think the Saints will finish in the 2024 AFL season?

The St Kilda Saints are at a pivotal juncture in their journey. As they continue to rebuild their squad, it’s essential to temper expectations and recognise that significant transformations don’t occur overnight. Under the strategic guidance of Ross Lyon and Stephen Silvagni, the club has undertaken substantial changes, including recalibrating the salary cap to prepare for necessary adjustments.

Heading into the new season, there’s cautious optimism surrounding the Saints. The addition of talents like Liam Henry and Paddy Dow injects much-needed class and dynamism, while the prospect of Max King enjoying a full season ignites hopes of a prolific goal-scoring campaign. However, questions linger regarding King’s hunger, durability, and accuracy, highlighting the pivotal role he must assume to propel the Saints forward.

Indeed, it’s a make-or-break season for King, as the club eagerly awaits his transformation into an A-Grader. The Saints boast a mix of seasoned workhorses and emerging talents in the midfield. Players like Mitch Owens and Mattaes Phillipou are primed to step up alongside stalwarts such as Seb Ross, Brad Crouch, and Jack Steele, signalling a transitional phase for this crucial area of the team.

With competition intensifying, particularly from contenders like Western Bulldogs and Gold Coast, eager to secure a coveted spot in the top eight, the pressure is on for the Saints to deliver. For Lyon and his team, replicating their finals appearance and securing at least 13 wins would mark a significant achievement—a testament to the progress made and the squad’s resilience.

Liam Henry’s departure from Fremantle 

Just as he was hitting his stride on the wing, the Next Generation Academy (NGA) product, Liam Henry, moved to St Kilda—a decision that could prove to be a game-changer for the Saints.

Henry brings precisely what St Kilda needs to elevate their game. With his exceptional polish, precision, speed, and agility, he can seamlessly transition the ball from congested midfield battles to open spaces. While the Saints boast a lineup of reliable worker bees in the engine room, as highlighted by Lyon, adding top-end talent like Henry is essential to bolster their forward efficiency.

As Henry settles into his role, expect him to become the focal point for St Kilda’s midfielders. With their knack for creating scoring opportunities, the question remains: Can they convert them into goals? If Henry consistently delivers pinpoint passes to Max King on the lead, the Saints will undoubtedly pose a significant threat to opposition defences.

Additionally, St Kilda’s strategic moves in the draft further solidify their aspirations for success. Lance Collard, a product of the West Coast NGA, mirrors Henry’s clean and evasive qualities in the forward half, providing additional firepower in attack. Meanwhile, top draft pick Darcy Wilson’s exceptional running capabilities make him a valuable asset for the Saints’ outside play.

Furthermore, Arie Schoenmaker’s outstanding kicking prowess adds a new dimension to St Kilda’s defensive setup, offering much-needed penetration on the rebound.

The 2024 season with the St Kilda Saints 

Several players are entering the final year of their contracts. Familiar faces such as Matthew Allison, Josh Battle, Dan Butler, Zak Jones, Max Heath, Dougal Howard, Tim Membrey, Seb Ross, and many others are among those on the last leg of their current deals.

However, it’s not just about who’s leaving but also about who’s joining the ranks. The Saints have strategically reinforced their squad for the upcoming campaign. The acquisition of Liam Henry from Fremantle and Paddy Dow from Carlton through trades adds firepower to the team’s midfield and forward lines.

Furthermore, the club has welcomed fresh talent through the draft, with Darcy Wilson, Lance Collard, Angus Hastie, Hugo Garcia, Arie Schoenmaker, and Liam O’Connell all eager to make their mark in the red, white, and black.

As with any transition period, there are casualties. The departures of players like Oscar Adams, Leo Connolly, and Jack Bytel through delistings, along with the exits of Tom Highmore, Jack Peris, and Dan McKenzie, signify a changing guard within the Saints’ lineup. Additionally, the loss of Jade Gresham to Essendon via free agency and the trades of Nick Coffield to the Western Bulldogs and Jack Billings to Melbourne reshaped the team’s composition.

Where can you get St Kilda Saints AFL tickets for the 2024 season?

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