With the season almost upon us and the Saints faithful chomping at the bit for action, everybody is wondering what to expect come Round 1 in Adelaide.

These are the five biggest questions heading into the 2025 season.

Who partners with Wilks?

With the reliable Dougal Howard set to miss the beginning of the season with a dislocated shoulder, a place has opened up in the key defender slot alongside vice-captain Callum Wilkie.

Veteran Zaine Cordy has proven to fill this role in years past, taking on the role in the back-end of the 2023 season as the Saints marched into September. His prior work means he is likely to be first in line come the beginning of the season.

Besides Cordy, a wave of youth will also be vying to fill the gap left by Howard and cement themselves as the future of the St Kilda backline. Second-year Arie Schoenmaker found himself in the side for a spurt last season and will look to regain his spot, while rookies Alix Tauru and James Barrat may also stake their claim for the big position in their first year at senior level.

Athletic utility Isaac Keeler has been knocking down the door at VFL level and may also be given an opportunity to thrive, while Anthony Caminiti could find himself in defence after being trialled there in games late in the 2024 season. 

What’s the midfield mix?

After an offseason of acquisitions and long-term injuries, the Saints midfield mix is set to be shaken up in 2025.

Jack Steele will lead the charge in-and-under once again, with an ever-changing and rotating roster flying through the centre at any bounce very likely. Superstar Jack Sinclair will almost certainly find himself spending time in there when rotating off half-back as he has in previous seasons.

From there, the sheer amount of talent available to rotate through is significant. Hunter Clark, Zak Jones and Marcus Windhager have all spent time in the midfield in their career to date and will be available to chop out at any given point. Hugo Garcia will also look to build on the explosive form shown in his first season with extended time in the midfield.

They won’t be alone in desiring midfield minutes however, with new additions in three-time All Australian Jack Macrae and Jack Carroll also ready to stake their claim in the centre of the park.

Up-and-coming star Mattaes Phillipou will almost certainly find himself in the midfield once he recovers from a stress fracture sustained in the preseason, while Paddy Dow will also put his hand up after he returns from a knee infection.

New draftees Hugh Boxshall and Patrick Said will also look to impress and ply their trade to break in to the Saints midfield in the future.

What’s the big man setup?

The Saints have brought in some big (literally) help for superstar Rowan Marshall this offseason, with ruckmen Alex Dodson and Harry Boyd joining the red, white and black.

Dodson joined the Saints with pick 53 in the 2024 national draft out of South Australia, and had been juggling basketball and football duties before setting his sights on an AFL career. Dodson’s incredible ability did not go unnoticed, becoming the premier ruck option in the draft class and proving an enticing option to assist Marshall in his duties.

Boyd also joins the Saints out of South Australia, dominating for Norwood in 2024 and claiming Magarey Medal honours. His arrival at Moorabbin sparked serious excitement among the fanbase, with many expecting him to make an impact at the highest level immediately.

With Marshall expected to split his time more outside of his ruck duties in the forward line, the usage of Boyd and potentially Dodson opens up an element that hasn’t been utilised by the Saints in a significant period of time.

Elsewhere in the Saints, Max Heath is also continuing his development in the ruck and could also see himself in the side in his fifth season in the system.

It’s still to be seen which of the big men, if any, will stand alongside Marshall, but the prospect of the big men hitting the park has fans excited for 2025.

Who’s set to debut early?

The Saints pulled in a massive draft haul in 2024, bringing seven new Sainters to Moorabbin as well as adding one more in the SSP period in Harry Boyd. 

The question now remains, which of the new boys will taste the highest level early in 2025?

Tobie Travaglia, the first selection made by the Saints at pick No.8, has already shown the flashes of why he was rated so highly, and could very well find himself in the frame of selection for round 1 off the half-back or running through the wing. Travaglia’s teammate at the Bendigo Pioneers in James Barrat, an athletic key defender, could also see himself lining up early with an injury to current defensive stalwart Dougal Howard.

Hugh Boxshall, Alex Dodson and Patrick Said will all be vying for positions as the season progresses in the Saints highly-competitive midfield and ruck positions, with potential to break through and showcase their prospective talent. 

Alix Tauru, the Saints second selection in the draft at pick No.10, continues to recover from a stress fracture in his back sustained at the end of his Coates Talent League season and will be looking to make an impact upon return, while Category B rookie Eamonn Armstrong will join the Saints later in the season from Ireland.

Who’s elevating their game?

The Saints head into the 2025 season with the third-youngest list in the AFL, meaning they have plenty of young talent ready to step up and announce themselves as dominant forces in the competition.

Many may forget that Max King is still only 24 years old and, after signing a deal tying him with the club until 2032, will look to dominate from the beginning of the season after injuries have interrupted his preparations since his debut. His 52-goal season in 2022 remains his best effort in a season, but could well be in trouble if he can string together the full season.

Mitch Owens is also expected to take on an increased role in 2025 with the departure of Tim Membrey in the offseason, as the fourth-year Saint steps up as a key forward target. Owens has shown incredible flair through the start of his career, with his aerial ability and strength in the contest a highlight, and will only begin to grow his game with greater responsibilities.

Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera is one that Saints fans have quickly grown to love thanks to his unbelievable display on the field. Silky skills, composure under pressure and an elite footy IQ has NWM on the radar of footy fans around the country as one of the future. With another full preseason under his belt and the lights shining bright, Wanganeen-Milera will only continue to drive his stock and be a vital cog within the Saints system once again in 2025.