St Kilda head into 2022 after a rollercoaster season last year relegated them to tenth place and an awfully uneventful September.
With Brett Ratten entering his third season in charge and Jack Steele shaping up to have yet another inspirational season, many are wondering what version of St Kilda we are going to see on the field this season.
INS/OUTSย
In: Tom Campbell, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Mitchito Owens, Marcus Windhager, Oscar Adams, Jack Peris, Josiah Kyle, Jack Hayes
Out: Jake Carlisle, James Frawley, Shaun McKernan, Dylan Roberton, Oscar Clavarino, Sam Alabakis, Luke Dunstan, Paul Hunter, Jack Lonie
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Weaknessesย
Lack of A grade midfield talentย
The Saints have no shortage of depth in the middle of the ground, with the likes of Brad Hill, Zak Jones, Brad Crouch and Jack Billings spending minutes in the centre last season, but of these names none can genuinely be considered as elite talents compared to stars of the game.
Jack Steele did his best, as we've become accustomed to, but often found himself without support from his teammates, whether that be due to lapses in form, injury, or just not being good enough. Hill, who joined the Saints at the end of 2019, averaged 19.7 disposals per game last year. While Brad Crouch in his first year at the Saints averaged 26.4 clearances and 4.9 clearances per game.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
While these highly touted new recruits often performed admirably throughout the year and certainly helped the Saints across the line in a few tight games, they, like others in the engine room, failed to reach the highs expected of this new look team.
As a result, the Saints ranked 11th in the competition for both clearances and inside 50's in 2021, statistics reflecting their place on the ladder.
With the forward line duo in Max King and Tim Membreyย and the backline performing admirably under pressure, the Saints engine room is where things need to start taking a turn for the better.
The Saints skipper is a star in many regards, but he can't be expected to carry the team up the ladder on just his back. If the Saints want to see improvement, those players need to join their captain on the elite rankings this season.
