A staggering 213 days have passed since St Kilda last took the field in 2022, and a lot has happened since then as this year's pre-season officially commences.

Catch up on all you need to know heading into the red, white and black's fifth senior campaign. 

A wrap on Season 7

3-7, 13th position
Captain - Hannah Priest
Best & Fairest - Kate Shierlaw, Bianca Jakobsson (runner-up), Molly McDonald (third)
Leading Goalkicker - Kate Shierlaw

Click here for a full table of results from Season 7.

Two seasons in one calendar year presented a challenge to the entire competition, and while more footy had its perks for St Kilda's young squad, the effects were felt towards the latter stages of the year.

The Saints started Season 7 promisingly with wins on the road over expansion sides Sydney and Hawthorn, but were left to wait another seven weeks to bank their next one over newcomers Port Adelaide.

Nick Dal Santo's side showed when up and running they could challenge the competition's best; a two-point loss to Collingwood in the game's dying minutes, despite the final-siren heartbreak, signalling arguably the Saints' best and most comprehensive performance of the season. 

An aggressive Sign & Trade Period brought in experienced campaigners Nicola Stevens, Erin McKinnon and Grace Kelly to RSEA Park, however the latter pair were restricted to just five senior appearances between them as respective ankle/concussion and quad setbacks hampered their debut Saints seasons.

Georgia Patrikios' return was welcome as part of the Saints' young engine room, while the older and wiser heads of Bianca Jakobsson and Hannah Priest stood up in defence as the now-departed Kate Shierlaw pieced together a Best & Fairest season.

New and departing faces

The Saints again entered the most recent Sign & Trade Period with a clear-cut strategy to bolster their list, and executed in bringing in some of the competition's most decorated names.

Star Collingwood duo Steph Chiocci and Jaimee Lambert added red to their repertoire in tandem with invaluable experience to the midfield brigade, before All-Australian and reigning AFLW Leading Goalkicker Jesse Wardlaw arrived at RSEA Park to spearhead the new-look forward line.

Natalie Plane and Serene Watson followed shortly afterwards from Carlton and Gold Coast respectively to shore up the backline stocks, leaving draftee Beth Pinchin to round out the list and fill a similar role in defence.

Kate Shierlaw, Tarni White, Caitlin Greiser and Clara Fitzpatrick all requested trades to other clubs during the Sign & Trade Period, while Jess Matin, Lucy Burke and Leah Cutting were delisted by season's end.

IN

Steph Chiocci (traded from Collingwood)
Jaimee Lambert (traded from Collingwood)
Jesse Wardlaw (traded from Brisbane)
Natalie Plane (traded from Carlton)
Serene Watson (traded from Gold Coast)
Beth Pinchin (draft)

OUT

Kate Shierlaw (traded to North Melbourne)
Caitlin Greiser (traded to Richmond)
Tarni White (traded to Collingwood)
Clara Fitzpatrick (traded to Gold Coast)
Jess Matin (delisted)
Lucy Burke (delisted)
Leah Cutting (delisted)

A few more arrivals

There may be six newcomers in red, white and black this season, but an influx of injury-free Saints are set to give the club a much-needed boost heading into 2023.

First-round draftee Tyanna Smith, Renee Saulitis and Jayde Van Dyk are all tracking well following respective ACL surgeries, with Van Dyk closing in on nine months since last year's setback.

A maiden Saints appearance for former Eagle Grace Kelly is on the cards after a quad complaint sidelined her for the entirety of last season, while fellow interstate recruit Erin McKinnon is building back up after being restricted to just five games in 2022.

Meanwhile, high school graduates J'Noemi Anderson and Caitlin Matthews will have a full pre-season ahead of them after completing their VCE commitments.

Upcoming milestones

While the fixture for the 2023 NAB AFLW Season is yet to be confirmed, there are several Saints approaching key milestones should all go to plan.

50 games

Jesse Wardlaw (expected Round 1)
Bianca Jakobsson (expected Round 3)
Erin McKinnon (expected Round 4)
Nat Exon (expected Round 10)

25 games

Alice Burke (expected Round 2)
Grace Kelly (expected Round 2)
Olivia Vesely (expected Round 5)
Rebecca Ott (expected Round 7)
Ash Richards (expected Round 8)
Ella Friend (expected Round 9)