Two-time Best & Fairest and long-serving leader Seb Ross’ time at St Kilda has come to a close, with the club informing the 31-year-old he will not be offered a contract for the 2025 season.

Arriving at St Kilda as an 18-year-old from Horsham, Ross’ journey in red, white and black culminates with a raft of club accolades and the undeniable respect from his peers, built off the back of his diligence through thick and thin over many years.

Ross’ time as a Saint concludes with St Kilda Football Club Life Membership, two Trevor Barker Awards (2017, 2019) — one of 14 to earn the honour multiple times — and seven of his 13 seasons as part of the club’s leadership group; four of which were served as vice-captain and one as stand-in captain in the absence of injured skipper, Jarryn Geary.

Making his debut in the final round of the 2012 season, Ross represented St Kilda across 211 matches, celebrating his 200th game earlier this year in front of a record crowd of almost 70,000 supporters at the MCG. 

“On behalf of the entire club, we would like to thank Seb for his exceptional service to St Kilda over the past 13 seasons,” EGM Football David Misson said.

“These types of decisions are never easy to make, particularly given Seb’s calibre as both a person and a player which has yielded incredible respect from teammates and supporters alike. However, as we position our list for the future, this decision, albeit incredibly difficult, needed to be made.

“Seb has given everything to St Kilda over the journey and has experienced more than his fair share of hardship throughout in terms of team success, but his commitment through it all has a defining feature of his career and character.

“We wish Seb, wife Marnie and children Charlotte, Vinny and Henley all the best for whatever the future holds. He and his family will always be welcome here at St Kilda.”

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Through thick and thin: Ross bids farewell

Look back on some of Seb Ross' best moments as his time as a Saint comes to a close after 211 games.

Ross said he was proud of his time as a Saint.

“St Kilda will always be the place that gave me the chance to live out my childhood dream of playing AFL football, and I will forever be grateful for that,” Ross said.

“While I’m not closing the door on football moving forward, I leave the Saints with some lifelong friends and some incredible memories.

I’d like to thank all of the teammates I’ve shared the journey with over the years, as well as all my coaches, the staff and the broader St Kilda community for making my time here so special.

- Seb Ross

“I’m comforted knowing that whatever comes next, I have my incredible wife Marnie and our children, Charlotte, Vinny and Henley, by my side. They truly are my world.”

Ross joined St Kilda via Pick No. 21 in the 2011 AFL Draft and made his debut in Round 22 of the 2012 season against Greater Western Sydney.

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