With the introduction of four new sides to establish an 18-team competition, the race for the coveted AFLW premiership will be as fierce as ever.
On the eve of Season Seven, we take a look at how the Saints are shaping up for their second season under Senior Coach Nick Dal Santo.
LAST SEASON IN A WRAP
Injuries and player unavailability were a consistent concern throughout Season Six for St Kilda, which registered two wins from its 10 games to finish in 13th position in Nick Dal Santo’s first season at the helm.
With star players Tyanna Smith and Georgia Patrikios ruled out before the campaign even begun, and others later joining them on the ‘unavailable’ list, the Saints struggled to get going but found their rhythm in the final month of the season to claim two victories.
While it was a disappointing season from a win-loss record, the Saints were able to build confidence and get valuable game-time and development into their promising youngsters, which will hopefully see them climb the ladder in Season Seven.
NEW TALENT
St Kilda welcomed 10 new faces in the off-season, headlined by All Australians Erin McKinnon (GWS) and Nicola Stevens (Carlton), first-round draftee J’Noemi Anderson and talented Irish pair Grace Kelly and Clara Fitzpatrick – the latter returning to the club after last featuring in 2020.
McKinnon has been a dominant force in the ruck within the competition, and if her practice matches are anything to go by, the 189cm recruit’s impact at the club will be telling.
The Saints struggled to score last season, goaling from just 11.8 per cent of inside 50s, but will benefit from the arrival of Stevens, who was switched from defence to forward to damaging effect at the Blues.
Anderson, the Saints’ first Indigenous AFLW player, boasts a red-hot highlights reel and can also add another dimension to the forward line, but isn’t expected to feature heavily as she juggles Year 12 commitments.
RETURNING MIDS
Classy midfielder Georgia Patrikios will provide a huge boost for the Saints’ engine room, having returned to the club following changes to the AFL’s vaccination mandate in July.
The 21-year-old, who missed all of last season, has been one of the stars of the competition since the beginning of her career, claiming two club best and fairests and an All-Australian nod, and holding the club record for disposals in a game (30).
Exciting young talent Tyanna Smith is set to return from an ACL injury in the back-end of the season, while Rosie Dillon and Olivia Vesely will also strengthen the Saints’ on-ball core after missing large chunks of last season.
Expect to see more of captain Hannah Priest in the midfield, too.
BREAKOUT PLAYERS
After strong development in pre-season, the Saints’ list is set to level up as a host of youngsters target breakout seasons.
Molly McDonald has had an outstanding off-season, with the silky winger putting aside previous injuries and developing her skills. Being a part of the young Saints midfield, McDonald will be hoping to use her running skills off the wing and shine throughout Season Seven.
With a solid pre-season behind her, versatile forward Darcy Guttridge is also poised to step up. The 22-year-old is integral to St Kilda’s forward structure, having kicked 10 goals from 26 games.
Alice Burke, daughter of St Kilda legend Nathan Burke, is another player to keep an eye on. Boasting a strong defensive presence, the young midfielder is tracking nicely as she looks to write her own chapter in the famous No. 3.
THE COACH
Former Saint Nick Dal Santo enters Season Seven – his second in charge – with the benefit of more time to embed his game-plan with a young and united group.
The former 322-gamer said the way his side finished last season was a nod to its growth and exciting sign of what’s to come.
“For where we’re at, a lot has been around growth and development. We need to improve as individuals, but more importantly as a collective. Being a younger side, you have this enthusiasm and bring a vibrancy and enjoyment to football, but that doesn’t stop at the younger group – it filters all the way through,” Dal Santo said.
“This is an enjoyable place to play football, and I think that was highlighted by the morale of the group throughout the season. As the season went on, we played better football as a team.”
Captain Hannah Priest said the side was buying into the high standards Dal Santo had been driving since his arrival.
“In our first season with him at the helm, he’s shown that he loves high standards and loves pushing us to our absolute max,” Priest said.
“I think moving on to our next season, he’s going to be stronger on that again.”
FIXTURE BREAKDOWN
The Saints will open their season against AFLW newcomer Sydney in what is just one of two interstate games this campaign.
Of their 10 games, eight will be played in Victoria and five at RSEA Park against Melbourne (Round 3), Collingwood (6), Carlton (7), Port Adelaide (9) and Adelaide (10).
With a Victoria-friendly fixture, the opportunity to climb up the AFLW ladder is better than ever for the Saints.
THE MILESTONES
Having not missed a game since being taken by Collingwood in the inaugural AFLW draft, Nicola Stevens will play her 50th AFLW match when she runs out for the first time as a Saint in Round 1.
She’ll be joined by fellow milestone forward Caitlin Greiser, with St Kilda’s all-time leading AFLW goalkicker to play her 25th game in the opener against the Swans.
Like Stevens, All-Australian ruck Erin McKinnon is also on track for her 50th game this season, having played 41 for the Giants.
Rounding out the milestones are Grace Kelly, Tarni White, Molly McDonald, Rosie Dillon, Georgia Patrikios and Nicola Xenos, who are all in line to play their 25th matches this campaign.
