New-look St Kilda sets target of 50,000-plus members in 2020
St Kilda has experienced a membership surge on the back of an exciting trade period, and the Saints hope to carry that momentum into 2020 as their promising youngsters prepare to hit the track for pre-season training.
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St Kilda believes it has the playing personnel to surge up the ladder and match the early momentum of a 4000-strong membership boost from its fans.
A new-look St Kilda side’s 1-4 year players will start training at Moorabbin on Wednesday with Max King (ankle) and Nick Coffield (shoulder) ready to start a summer of toil.
The Saints have set a lofty membership target of over 50,000 members, which would be a 16 per cent boost, but say they must start making big jumps given Richmond this year hit 103,000 members.
Acting CEO Simon Lethlean told the Herald Sun fans had responded to the decision to appoint Brett Ratten and the strong trade period.
He said building the club’s revenue growth was critical to on-field success, but the football department knew it needed to fire for the fans to come on board.
St Kilda had only 43,038 members in 2019, a drop of 7 per cent from 2018, with Richmond, West Coast, Collingwood and Essendon more than 40,000 members ahead.
“We have set an ambitious target of 50,000-plus members. That is the ball park you need to be in as a club to flourish,” Lethlean said.
“We have good momentum, a new coach, we had a pretty successful trade period where the players we brought in all bring something to the table, and it feels like there is good sentiment and good mojo. But footy needs to do its bit and start winning more,” he said.
“Our first eight rounds are in Victoria and St Kilda is not a small club, it has a big supporter base and is back home in the middle of Bayside so we want everyone to sign up.”
Second-year tall King had ankle surgery mid-year but, like Dean Kent (knee), would have been ready for full training by Round 23.
Dan Hannebery will be delayed by a broken foot, Matt Parker has had a minor ankle clean-up and Jack Steele (dislocated kneecap) will start the pre-season several weeks behind his teammates.
Apart from those issues the Saints are in excellent shape, with captain Jarryn Geary (broken leg) ready to start the pre-season.
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Lethlean said the club would spend the summer working out where their exciting new recruits slotted into Ratten’s plans for 2020.
“We should be able to play a few tricks with (Rowan) Marshall and Paddy Ryder, how they play ruck and play forward, Dan Butler gives us forward pressure and allows Gresh (Jade Gresham) to play more onball. And I guess we rotate (Zak) Jones, Jack Billings, (Jack) Sinclair, (Seb) Ross and Brad (Hill) through the wings and half forward.
“We have Dougal Howard and Jake Carlisle playing back and (Jarryn) Geary is back into the team so does (Hunter) Clark play back or midfield? It’s all good stuff to work through.
“There is definitely a bit of selection pressure which will be good and more depth so that should drive the boys.”
WHEN DOES YOUR CLUB START PRE-SEASON TRAINING?
Fremantle — Monday, November 4 (1-4 year players)
Hawthorn — Monday, November 18
North Melbourne — November 4 (1-4 year players), November 18 (5+ year players)
Port Adelaide — November 4 (1-4 year players), November 18 (5+ year players)
Essendon — Monday, November 25
Collingwood — November 18 (1-4 year players), December 2 (5+ year players)
Richmond – November 25 (1-4 year players), December 2 (5+ year players)
Originally published as New-look St Kilda sets target of 50,000-plus members in 2020