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
DOWNLOAD NOW:ย AFL Zero Hanger 2022 Season Guide
Defining periodย
It was often hard to read the Saints at points of last season. They endured a humiliating loss to Essendon and experienced a thrilling comeback win against the Eagles in the space of seven days all before Round 5.ย 2022 looks like it could be much of the same.
The opening month to the season perhaps isn't the most thrilling nor difficult that Brett Ratten's men will experience this year, but it may be the most telling. Awarded a rare prime time fixture against Collingwood to kick off their 2022 campaign, the Saints will be desperate to make a good start under the Friday night lights.
With a trip to Perth to face Fremantle the next week, followed by winnable matches against Richmond and Hawthorn, the Saints won't be able to get away with the chaos of last year's opening two years in a row.
A poor start will put Ratten under mounting pressure heading into winter, an all too familiar feeling down at Moorabbin, but should the Saints manage to pull of expected wins against the Pies and Hawks and snag some extra points against Fremantle or Richmond, they will be shaping themselves up nicely for when the fixture gets a little more dicey later in the year.
