A handful of experienced Saints are on track to reach significant milestones in 2017, with Sam Gilbert closing in on 200 games, Jarryn Geary in touching distance of 150 and Jack Steven also eying the mark.
After playing all 22 games in 2016, versatile defender Gilbert will need to foster that durability again this season if he is to become just the 28th player in St Kilda’s history to represent the club on 200 occasions.
New skipper Geary is only nine games away from reaching the 150-game milestone, while reigning Trevor Barker Award winner Steven will need to play 16 games in 2017 to join his new captain at that mark.
Off-season acquisition Nathan Brown can also break the same milestone if he plays 20 games in his first season at Linen House Centre.
Richardson: We're poised for next stage of the journey
Budding Saints leaders Jack Newnes and Maverick Weller are on track to raise the bat in the first half of the season, with the pair potentially set to hit the 100-game mark in Round 9 and 10 respectively.
After more than 16 months since his last AFL appearance, St Kilda’s other new key defender, Jake Carlisle, could also reach the ton this season. The highly-rated swingman needs 15 appearances in 2017 to pass the mark.
And while it’s not exactly a milestone, six-time best and fairest winner Nick Riewoldt could leap ahead of Nathan Burke (in three games time) and Stewart Loewe (in five games time) on St Kilda’s all-time games played list in the early stage of the season. He currently sits in fourth place, 64 games behind record holder Robert Harvey (383 games).
What really happens from the bench?
Milestone Forecaster
200 games
Sam Gilbert – Round 22 v North Melbourne
150 games
Jarryn Geary – Round 9 v Sydney
Jack Steven – Round 17 v Essendon
Nathan Brown – Round 21 v Melbourne
100 games
Jack Newnes – Round 9 v Sydney
Maverick Weller – Round 10 v Western Bulldogs
Jake Carlisle – Round 16 v Richmond
50 games
Billy Longer – Round 7 v Greater Western Sydney
Jack Billings – Round 8 v Carlton
Nathan Wright – Round 21 v Melbourne
Tim Membrey – Round 21 v Melbourne
