Ins: Anthony Caminiti (Pre-Season Supplemental Selection, Zaine Cordy (Free Agent, Western Bulldogs), Olli Hotton (NAB Draft, Pick 35), Isaac Keeler (NAB Draft, Pick 44), Angus McLennan (Category B Rookie), Mattaes Phillipou (NAB Draft, Pick 10), Liam Stocker (Pre-Season Supplemental Selection), James Van Es (NAB Draft, Pick 31)
Outs:
Jarryn Geary (Retired), Dan Hannebery (Retired), Darragh Joyce (Delisted), Dean Kent (Retired), Jarrod Lienert (Delisted), Ben Long (Trade, Gold Coast), Paddy Ryder (Retired)
Draw: Based on the new weighted draw brought in for the 2023 season, St Kilda will statistically have the 8th easiest draw in the competition. The Saints will play Brisbane, Carlton, Gold Coast, Hawthorn, North Melbourne, and Richmond twice throughout the season.
Forwards: Dan Butler, Anthony Caminiti*, Tom Campbell, Jack Hayes*, Max Heath*, Jack Higgins, Isaac Keeler, Max King, Tim Membrey, Mitchito Owens
Midfielders: Jack Billings, Ryan Byrnes, Jack Bytel, Brad Crouch, Jade Gresham, Olli Hotton, Zak Jones, Daniel McKenzie, Jack Peris*, Mattaes Phillipou, Seb Ross, Jack Steele, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Marcus Windhager, Mason Wood
Rucks: Rowan Marshall
Defenders: Oscar Adams, Matthew Allison, Josh Battle, Hunter Clark, Nick Coffield, Leo Connolly, Zaine Cordy, Tom Highmore, Brad Hill, Dougal Howard, Angus McLennan, Ben Paton, Cooper Sharman*, Jack Sinclair, Liam Stocker*, James Van Es, Jimmy Webster, Callum Wilkie,
* Indicates rookie/long-term injury listed player
Ones to watch: Brad Hill looks set to move back to a wing in 2023 under former coach, Ross Lyon. Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera looked dangerous at times last year and looks like he will be moved across half back to help set up play with his superb foot skills. With the Saints ever-growing injury list, there will be plenty of spots up for grabs come round 1.
Strengths: The Saints have an outstanding forward line when fully fit. The likes of young superstar Max King, Tim Membrey, Jack Higgins, and Dan Butler all can hit the scoreboard frequently despite being different kinds of players. This could be the year Rowan Marshall becomes one of the competitions best ruckmen. Marshall thrived when given the chance to be the sole ruckman last year and with the retirement of Paddy Ryder, expect him to become one of the best big men in the game. Their defence is solid with Callum Wilkie having a sensational 2022, often shutting down some of the best forwards in the game.
Weaknesses: Although led by one of the best midfielders in the game Jack Steele, their midfield were ranked 15th in the competition for clearances. This is something they must improve drastically this year, especially under the contested/defensive game style of Ross Lyon. The Saints will also be without many of their stars over the first few rounds of the season with Max King, Tim Membrey and Jack Sinclair unlikely to play round 1.
General thoughts: All eyes will be on the Saints in Round 1 as Ross Lyon returns to Moorabbin. Expect Lyon to bring his tried and tested defensive based game-style back to the Saints. The Saints went to the draft and looked to have picked up an absolute ripper in Mattaes Phillipou, expect him to be playing early in the season as a high half forward with a beautiful left foot kick. Will the Saints be able to pick up Ross Lyon’s gameplan straight away? Or will it take some getting used to? Expect young gun Marcus Windhager to take his game to another level after a successful 2022, where he became one of the best taggers in the game.
Coach Pressure Gauge – 1/10 – No chance of any pressure coming to Ross Lyon in his first year back at the Saints. The only trouble with the Saints board is that they themselves aren’t sure on where they sit in premiership contention conversations.
Breakout year: Mattaes Phillipou
B&F Winner: Jack Steele
Fantasy relevant:
Jack Steele – $978,000 – Mid
Rowan Marshall – $808,000 – Ruck
Marcus Windhager – $448,000 – Mid/Fwd
Mattaes Phillipou – $282,000 – Mid/Fwd
Finishing spot prediction: 12th
