St Kilda 2023 AFL Preview & Predictions

<p>Ahh St Kilda, you never fail to disappoint. Unless you support them, then they probably disappoint you at an alarming frequency.</p> <p>The club with the longest active premiership drought are entering year 56 without a flag.</p> <p>In an attempt to bring the good times back to Moorabbin, the Saints have reappointed the man who came the closest to breaking their premiership drought – Ross Lyon.</p> <p>Lyon was in charge when St Kilda famously drew against Collingwood in the 2010 decider, only to get massacred in the replay a week later.</p> <p>It’s been over a decade since Lyon last took charge of the Saints and his return hasn’t been well received by everyone in St Kilda’s supporter base. This animosity stems from the manner in which he left the club to join Fremantle at the end of his first tenure.</p> <p>Can Lyon win over his detractors, galvanise the playing group at his disposal and drive St Kilda back up the ladder? Or should the past have been left where it was? Only time will tell.</p> <p>For all the latest and greatest St Kilda tips and predictions read our preview below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Key Gains</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Anthony Caminiti (Supplemental selection period)</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Zaine Cordy (Western Bulldogs)</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Olli Hotton (No.35 draft pick)</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Isaac Keeler (No.44 draft pick)</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Angus McLennan (Category B rookie)</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Mattaes Phillipou (No.10 draft pick)</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Liam Stocker (Supplemental selection period)</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>James Van Es (No.31 draft pick)</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>There shouldn’t be too many changes to St Kilda’s best 22, but the overall depth of their squad has been boosted by some shrewd offseason pickups.</p> <p>This batch of players is headlined by defender Zaine Cordy who has joined from the Western Bulldogs.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Key Losses</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><em>Jarryn Geary (Retired)</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Dan Hannebery (Retired)</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Darragh Joyce (Delisted)</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Dean Kent (Retired)</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Jarrod Lienert (Delisted)</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Ben Long (Gold Coast Suns)</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Paddy Ryder (Retired)</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>No less than four players are hanging the boots for St Kilda. Jarryn Geary, Dan Hannebery, Dean Kent and Paddy Ryder have all called time on their respective careers.</p> <p>Between them they have won four premierships (not at St Kilda, obviously), kicked 422 goals and played over 800 first grade games.</p>

<h3>Player To Watch</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><em>Dougal Howard</em></strong></p> <p>After joining the Saints ahead of the 2020 season, key defender Dougal Howard has quickly become a fan favourite.</p> <p>He instantly hit the ground running becoming a true general at the back for St Kilda, with his consistent performances earning him the vice-captaincy after only being at the club for one season.</p> <p>Fast forward to 2023 and Howard is undeniably the lynchpin of the Saints backline. Strong in the air and currently one of the best spoilers in the game, the 26-year-old will no doubt be a busy boy as he attempts to keep St Kilda in as many games as possible.</p> <p>He has formed a formidable partnership with fellow defender Callum Wilkie and if the Saints want to go marching back to the finals, it will be on the back of their vice-captain.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>St Kilda Season Prediction</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Predicted finish: 12th</em></p> <p>St Kilda got off to a flyer last season with eight wins in their opening 11 games.</p> <p>They then flipped the script and went on to win only three of their last 11 to ensure they dropped out of the top eight and missed out on finals footy.</p> <p>This collapse ultimately cost head coach Brett Ratten his job and he has now been replaced by Ross Lyon.</p> <p>Lyon will need some positive results early to keep the Saints faithful onside. They’ll be looking for an excuse to turn on the man who abandoned them for Freo over a decade ago, which only adds an extra layer of intrigue to their upcoming season.</p> <p>Do they have what it takes to return to the finals this year? Probably not, but the appointment of Lyon should be a step in the right direction.</p> <p>After all, he did guide them to consecutive Grand Final appearances, even if he could not secure that elusive flag.</p> <p>Ultimately, 2023 may very well be just another step on the long road to redemption for St Kilda and their long-suffering supporters.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>St Kilda’s Best 22</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>B:</strong> Callum Wilkie, Dougal Howard, Ben Paton</p> <p><strong>HB:</strong> Jack Sinclair, Josh Battle, Brad Hill</p> <p><strong>C:</strong> Daniel McKenzie, Seb Ross, Hunter Clark</p> <p><strong>HF: </strong>Mitchito Owens, Tim Membrey, Mason Wood</p> <p><strong>F:</strong> Jade Gresham, Max King, Dan Butler</p> <p><strong>Foll:</strong> Rowan Marshall, Jack Steele, Brad Crouch</p> <p><strong>I/C:</strong> Marcus Windhager, Jack Hayes, Jimmy Webster, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera</p>