St Kilda
Coach – Brett Ratten
2019 –
Points For – 14th
Points Against – 16th
Top 5 Best and Fairest
- Seb Ross
- Rowan Marshall
- Jack Steele
- Jack BIllings
- Tim membrey
2019 Rising Star Noms
Josh Battle (Rnd 22)
Ins – Ryan Byrnes, Leo Connolly, Jack Bell, Dougal Howard, Paddy Ryder, Brad Hill, Zak Jones, Dan Butler
Outs – Blake Acres, David Armitage, Josh Bruce, Billy Longer, Paddy McCartin, Jack Newnes, Lewis Pierce, Bailey Rice, Sam Rowe, Jack Steven, Brandon White, Robbie Young
My Prediction
St Kilda had an amazing off-season, they added a coach and a whole bunch of players. It felt like their list manager went for everyone in the hope that one or two would choose them and they ended up with everyone. Their recruits will add some experienced to a list that has been trashed and it still looks pretty green.
The backline will welcome Dougal Howard who looks a good prospect and brings height and mobility. Jake Carlisle is capable of very good footy at his best but isn’t real great between the ears and needs his head in the right place. They will be hoping Roberton can get back on the field as he provided important rebound along with Hunter Clark. Webster has also been a key half back with good foot skills and needs a solid run without injury. I am not sure if Zak Jones has been brought in for the half back role but his delivery is very questionable.
The midfield looks short on still. They needed to add leg speed and spread so went and paid a king’s ransom for Brad Hill who brings both of those things, he is a very good player and will improve them. They are a working class midfield with Steele, Hannebury (maybe) and Ross. Billings brings some class but there are still question marks over consistency. They still lack depth through the middle and I think it is going to cause them problems this year.
The forward line has been set for Max King this year, they have cleared out Bruce and will watch and see if King and Membrey can trouble the opposition. It is going to be tough for them with a midfield who doesn’t deliver the ball particularly well. Butler has been brought in for forward half pressure and to kick goals alongside Lonie and Gresham. I think it still looks like they lack class up forward as well.
They have found themselves a long term ruck in Marshall who looks like an absolute gun in the making. He has length, good skills, is mobile and looks hungry for the contest. They also have Paddy Ryder who probably still has good skills but would take a remarkable turnaround for him to bring any significant value. Ratten can coach. He took a rubbish Carlton list and made them look ok, he has since then spent time developing his skills. St Kilda will need to be patient though because they have given him a terrible list to work with.
St Kilda have pretty glaring deficiencies over all areas of the field and a lack of talent in each area. Good coaching will only carry them so far and I don’t see the recruits they brought in last year being able to change the direction of the club in any serious way. I have a suspicion they may actually slide a little this season. I think somewhere between 14 and 16 looks the mark for mine.
