St Kilda Saints AFLW

St Kilda reportedly targeting Collingwood skipper, star midfielder ahead of 2023 AFLW season

The Saints are making moves already, despite the upcoming season still not having a start date.

Published by
Danielle Sorati

St Kilda are reportedly seeking the signatures of two Magpies, with co-captain Steph Chiocci and Jaimee Lambert at the centre of the Saints' off-season desires.

Chiocci, who is a foundation member of the club, has played 55 games for the club and was appointed as co-skipper alongside Brianna Davey in 2021. The 34-year-old played 11 games in season seven after suffering an achilles injury earlier in 2022.

Lambert, meanwhile, is also reportedly attracting interest from the Saints after a strong 2022 performance. The 30-year-old played 23 games across seasons six and seven last year, earning a second-place finish in Collingwood's best and fairest count in November.

According to reports from CODE Sports' Daniel Cherny, the Saints are pushing for the Collingwood while they are also seen as front-runners in the race for season seven leading goalkicker Jesse Wardlaw.

The Saints' interest in the senior tro comes as they're seen likely to lose a few key names of their own from Moorabbin, with veteran Kate Shierlaw reportedly looking like making a cross-town move to join North Melbourne.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 13: Tarni White of the Saints kicks the ball during the round six AFLW match between the St Kilda Saints and the Brisbane Lions at RSEA Park on February 13, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Shierlaw claimed the Saints' best and fairest award in season seven, alongside an inclusion in the All-Australian squad, and proved to be a valuable inclusion in red, black and white since her move to the club in 2020.

Two other Saints could also be on the move, with Tarni White and Clara Fitzpatrick reportedly rumoured to head north to join the Gold Coast Suns.

White, who is from Queensland, made her debut in 2020 and has since played 32 games for the club. Irish Saint Fitzpatrick has featured 12 times in red, black and white since being drafted in 2019, though the 32-year-old missed the 2021 season due to visa issues.

The Saints will be hoping for improvement in their fourth season in the competition, finishing in 13th position with just 3 wins on the board.

The AFLW still has no firm start date for season eight, though August is looking as the likely kick-off.

Published by
Danielle Sorati