Backline - 6: Backline was the issue last year, big chasms lay in the key defensive stakes. Nathan Brown was a good signing, he’s strong in the contest although can get caught out on the lead, his ability to match up on the better forwards this year will be a vital inclusion to the side, and allow Carlisle more freedom. We all know what Carlisle is capable of and perhaps is best role will be the marking, rebounding defender. We all know he’s laconic but with both Brown and Carlisle in the defence is already boosted and helps solve a few of their biggest issues. Dempster will stall be called on to play above himself, last year he was thrown to the wolves trying to play on some big forwards so it will be a welcome relief for him to have some KPP help, allowing him to focus on forwards more his size. Gilbert too will still be getting important roles down back, last year getting called on to plug holes across the field which he did OK with. Both Gilbert and Dempster are good enough players but not good enough to restrict the best forwards, which is why Brown and Carlisle are important to the structure of the side. Both you’d think would only have a few years left so finding replacements is important. Geary is a good player and will benefit from some support, he gave consistent support playing on some good players but perhaps didn’t give the same drive that they expected him to last year. Too much run was left to Montagna ,who was excellent with a ton of link-up play he remains one of their best users down back. With Gilbert, Dempseter and Montagna you’d think only 2 of them max will play past this year. Roberton gave some class down back, but it’s players like him and Savage that went missing when the side went off the boil. Savage provides good shut down roles but like Geary didn’t give as much the other way as they needed. Overall a composed backline, but they need to starting developing some younger talls to give support. Hugh Goddard has struggled so far in his career and Nathan Freeman can’t get on the park but injuries permitting they have a bit to work with.
Midfield - 7 : I disagree with some about their midfield. I think their midfield has a good core of young players that would excite their fans with perhaps them being an absolute star or two short, they would like a few “B” graders to become A. Jack Steven is their main man, he took his game to another level and was a sneaky chance for the Brownlow despite some heavy tags. He was let down by a few of his mates, Armitage is a good player that had a below average year. He struggled with knee injuries that meant he was only serviceable, I think now that he’s fit he should be a good reliable strong midfielder for them capable of gathering 30 possessions regularly. Newnes is a good player that could take that next step and they’ll need him to if they’re going to be a threat. He’s probably their most consistent player in an up and down year and they need guys like Newnes to lift and give some top end support to Steven. Ross is another like Newnes that they hope can take the next step, Ross had his breakthrough year being strong through the midfield but now the task will be to take the next step, he’s a prolific ball winner that could be a star one day as you look at him and think he doesn’t have many assets but like Jobe is smart with the ball and wins a lot of the ball. Acres and Billings are probably both the Saints’ next two potential stars. Acres has good pace and showed heaps in the last half of the year, winning a rising star and showing some great signs, Billings too looks like he could be special but hasn’t quite pieced together anything consistent, he spends his time so far between midfield and back and has played some special games and some quiet ones, with little inbetween. Billings is the one they’re banking on becoming their “A” grade talent at some stage over the next few years. Koby Stevens and Jack Steele are useful inclusions, Stevens was a gun in the first half of 2015 until he got injured and then found himself in and out of the side last year for the Dogs despite playing decent football, whilst Steele is talented but never found a spot on the GWS’s senior list so he’ll get his chance to find his feet, it’s too early to see how he’ll turn out just yet. Jade Gresham is a young draftee that had a good first year, he was handy throughout the year being too young to have too much of an impact but he had some good moments so you’d expect he’d be a player of the future. Gresham along with Dunstan & Ben Long should get plenty of chances to break in to the side during the year. Overall a good reliable core they have but I’m feeling they need a few to take the next step to help Steven and perhaps need a dash of pace that they found since losing Lovett.
Rucks - 8 : I think they’re well set here. Hickey overtook Longer and was basically one of the best few rucks in the league by the end of the season, he had a ripping last half of the year. Longer struggled in the VFL unable to break into the side and I wouldn’t be surprised if he looked for more chances elsewhere next year. Holmes even played a few games which was more than Longer. Overall they have a top ruck and a few good backups and that’s all you need.
Forwardline - 7.5 : I think it’s probably their best aspect of the side. I’m not sure if Riewoldt is a high forward or wing but you could argue both, he’s still a class player even despite slowing and will again kick goals or provide a presence in the midfield. I’m not sure Bruce has come on as they planned, but everyone knows he can kick a bag. Membrey was an outstanding find and almost their best forward all year. Kicked some big bags and went from fringe to first picked such was his rise, it’ll be interesting to see if he can back it up. McCartin is frustrating as he is talented, with injuries and concussions dominating amongst some occasional brilliance of strong marking and goal kicking. The Saints are looking to him to settle into a full forward role to help replace Riewoldt and need him to find his feet consistently soon. Throw in the talent of Billings and a forwardline of Riewoldt/Membrey/Bruce/McCartin/Billings will be dangerous. Mav Weller also established himself as a good shut down forward who managed to kick some goals although Jack Lonie & Minchington struggled playing the small forward role. Lonie kicked 3 goals in his last game and Minchington did the same in the year but neither found a spot to nail down despite both having the talent. It’s probably one of the better forwardlines they’ve had for a few years.
Predicted Finish - 6th - 8th: Always hard to pick teams like the Saints. Finished 9th last year and have a ton of room for improvement but you often find teams going backwards before the go forwards once again. I think with the natural improvement in their list along with Carlisle and Brown helping to address a backline weakness they should make finals.