St Kilda's off-season saw a host of talented draftees walk into Moorabbin as a cohort of veterans departed, including free agent Josh Battle.
The Saints capitalised on their loss of Battle to welcome another top-10 selection, with both Alix Taura and Tobie Travaglia already flagged as early debutants in 2025.
Former Bulldog Jack Macrae will also assist the midfield group while ex-Carlton youngster Jack Carroll could receive more opportunities at his new club.
However, the improvement will come internally, and with 'Ross the Boss' at the helm, you know the Saints will be a hard-running team.
Across all three lines of the field, we've assessed St Kilda's best options for 2025, creating a 23-man side that best balances experience and youth.
Our Best 23 for 2025 series will include players unavailable for the start of the season, except for those expected to miss most or all of the season through injury or suspension.
Given the way they structure up, the Saints' defence is generally stingy and that's largely thanks to Callum Wilkie.
Ross Lyon has a myriad of players who can play downback, but the inclusion of top-1o draftees Taura and Travaglia into the mix, will allow more senior players to push further up the ground.
Dougal Howard will take the other key defensive post while Jimmy Webster will slot into the back six.
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera poses as the club's most dynamic player, whose ball use and vision set him apart from a large chunk of the competition.
On paper, St Kilda has a strong on-ball brigade, headed by a trio of Jacks (Steele, Sinclair and Macrae) while ruckman Rowan Marshall is quickly entering the elite conversation.
Manning the wings are specialised endurance runners Bradley Hill and Darcy Wilson, although the latter is looking for more time inside the centre bounce.
Emerging youngsters Mattaes Phillipou and Marcus Windhager are also staking their claim for more midfield time as they continue to develop while Mason Wood will be a pluck-and-plug player for Lyon.
The forward line has been a spot of contention for many years, following the departures of club greats Nick Riewoldt and Stephen Milne.
Max King has weighted the world on his shoulders, donning the famous No.12 and ironically dealing with multiple injury issues that have curtailed his rise to stardom.
King's return to form will be crucial to the Saints' forward line and a potential determinant of finals football.
The small forward brigade of Dan Butler, Jack Higgins and Liam Henry has worked well for the minute sample we saw in 2024 and should be persisted with.
That leaves rangy utility Cooper Sharman as the second tall inside 50, who proved in the back half of last year that he is more than capable at the elite level.
Mitch Owens will also run through the forward line but can be expected further up the ground.
FB: Alix Tauru, Dougal Howard, Jimmy Webster
HB: Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Callum Wilkie, Tobie Travaglia
C: Darcy Wilson, Jack Macrae, Bradley Hill
HF: Dan Butler, Cooper Sharman, Liam Henry
FF: Jack Higgins, Max King, Mattaes Phillipou
FOLL: Rowan Marshall, Jack Steele, Jack Sinclair
I/C Liam Stocker, Mitch Owens, Marcus Windhager, Mason Wood
SUB: Hunter Clark
Others to consider: Ryan Byrnes, Jack Carroll, Paddy Dow, Zaine Cordy, Hugo Garcia, Isaac Keeler, Anthony Caminiti, Arie Schoenmaker