At a glance:

  • All 45 players on St Kilda's list will hunker down in Noosa for at least the next month to keep Season 2020 rolling.
  • Jack Steele says the Saints are ready to embrace the challenge and will "want everyone there for the experience".
  • Luke Dunstan has also joined the squad, even after sustaining a pectoral injury that will sideline him for a considerable time.

St Kilda won’t be leaving its holistic philosophy behind at RSEA Park as the club prepares for hub life in Queensland, according to Jack Steele.

All 45 players, plus coaches, various football staff and family members, will hunker down in Noosa for at least the next month as part of the AFL’s plan to keep Season 2020 alive.

The Saints landed at their new home yesterday evening after the revised AFL fixture was upended on Friday in light of Victoria’s spike in COVID-19 cases.

But even after a tumultuous few days, Steele said the Saints will take each new challenge in their stride.

“The main message is just to embrace it all,” Steele told Triple M.

“Things are changing day-to-day, so you can’t really get too locked in or focussed on them. We thought we were playing at Marvel next Thursday, but then all of a sudden we’re flying out to Noosa.

“We’ve just got to look forward to the challenge, we’re all pretty excited to get up here and continue our good footy, so just keeping an open mind with everything is probably the main message.”

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Brett Ratten’s mantra on team connection will be even clearer over the next month, with every Saint – whether they be in the best 22, pushing for selection or stuck on the sidelines – part of the rollercoaster journey.

Dan Hannebery and Oscar Clavarino will complete their hamstring recoveries in Queensland over the coming weeks, along with midfielder Luke Dunstan.

The 25-year-old tore his pectoral muscle in last fortnight’s scratch match against Richmond, but despite the two-month injury, has been encouraged to join the squad in Noosa.

“We’re one club, so we want everyone up there for the experience,” Steele said.

“It’s nice to get up to Noosa and get a bit of sun and maybe a nice little tan, but obviously footy’s the priority.

“We want to play and we want to win.”