The club: St Kilda
Formed: 1873
Joined AFL: 1897
Premierships: One - 1966.
Last finals appearance: 2006, elimination final
2007 at a glance
Another year of unfulfilled potential for St Kilda, as the injury curse struck yet again. Having sacked Grant Thomas following a finals appearance in 2006, the Saints actually fared worse under successor Ross Lyon, winning 11 games and finishing ninth.
2008 to date
More injuries and more mixed form, which accounts for the Saints’ current position just outside the top eight. St Kilda was considered a likely top-four candidate after winning the NAB Cup, but, apart from a round one victory over Sydney, its wins to date have come against unfancied challengers – Carlton, Essendon and Richmond. On the other side of the spectrum, the Saints have been beaten by the Western Bulldogs, Geelong, Port Adelaide and, just last week, Collingwood.
The coach
The jury remains out on former Fitzroy and Brisbane Bears player Lyon, but, to be fair, injuries have probably denied him a fair crack at matters so far. Has won half the games he has coached and has a plenty talented list – if only he could get them all out on the park.
Missing in action
Barring a miracle recovery, Nick Riewoldt will be the biggest name on this list, still sidelined by a knee injury suffered in the round seven win over Richmond. Key defender Matt Maguire will miss the rest of the year with yet another foot complaint, while Xavier Clarke and Sam Gilbert are also sidelined. Steven Baker is some chance to resume from a jarred knee.
The gun
He might be an unassuming star but there is no doubting the contributions of Lenny Hayes to St Kilda’s cause in 2008. The two-time All-Australian has had more disposals than any other Saint (averaging almost 24 per game) and also leads the club in tackles – at an average of more than seven per game. Is tough, durable, never stops running and provides plenty of leadership as co-captain.
The bolter
Former Lions AFL Shop employee David Armitage is establishing himself as a regular in the Saints midfield. The 19-year-old Mackay product played three games last year after being taken with the No. 9 pick of the 2006 National Draft, but has already more than doubled his career games tally in 2008. Armitage is averaging more than 11 possessions per game and has kicked six goals this year.
Strengths
In Luke Ball, Nick Dal Santo, Hayes and Robert Harvey, the Saints boast a quartet of bona fide midfield gems. Baker, if fit, is an excellent tagger, Stephen Milne is a proven albeit erratic goal-kicker, Leigh Montagna continues to blossom in an on-ball role and Max Hudghton has had a brilliant career as an undersized key defender. Brendon Goddard and Justin Koschitzke continue to provide indications of their potential, Jason Gram is an enterprising defender and Steven King and Michael Gardiner have both been All-Australian ruckmen (although not in the last five years). St Kilda has plenty of raw ability and a good mix of youth and experience.
Weaknesses
Injuries continue to make life tough for the Saints. Riewoldt’s absence places much of the goal-kicking burden on Milne and Koschitzke – with Fraser Gehrig’s comeback from retirement not currently panning out as hoped. Question marks must exist over the King-Gardiner tandem, while there appears to be a lack of key defenders capable of covering Jonathan Brown, Daniel Bradshaw and Mitch Clark. Sam Fisher and Hudghton have plenty of heart, but both will give away height and size.
Running hot
Ball had 30 possessions and eight tackles on the weekend against Collingwood. Dal Santo was also prominent versus the Pies, using his silky skills to complement a 28-disposal effort with two goals. Gardiner put in his best effort to date as a Saint in round eight, working hard around the ground to add 15 possessions and nine marks to 12 hitouts.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club
