Mick McGuane assesses St Kilda’s 2019 season and how they can improve

Brett Ratten is the man to take St Kilda back up the ladder, but major improvement is needed in key areas plus a lot more luck than the Saints had this year, write Mick McGuane. LIST RATINGS

Jack Newnes of the Saints.

It’s hard to rate St Kilda’s season without acknowledging the impact injuries or unavailability of players had on the Saints’ year.

Alongside the upheaval of a coach change after Alan Richardson’s departure, you can’t expect smooth sailing with the personnel issues they’ve had. There is no doubt they played a part in the team’s nine-win season.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE SACKED PODCAST

Their skipper Jarryn Geary playing only five matches hurt them and the Dan Hannebery recruitment is a failure to this point after just four senior games.

We will find out about Hannebery’s attitude, his attention to detail with how hard they work him over summer to get him back to the level of expectation they invested in him.

They needed a fit Jake Carlisle (10 games), he is a really important defensive player in their group, but is now the subject of trade talk.

Paddy McCartin playing no games is a serious concern in relation to his future and they missed Dylan Roberton with his ongoing heart issues.

Captain Jarryn Geary was hurt again in his first game back from injury.

Then there was Jack Steven’s absence with his mental health concerns. Let’s hope he gets well because he is such an important player for St Kilda — if he stays there. He is a barometer for the Saints and adds a bit of light and shade to the group and is well received because of that.

Since taking over from Richardson, Brett Ratten has done nothing to suggest that he is not the right man to take the Saints forward.

Ratts has got an ability to connect with people and the younger generation of players, you can see he’s got a real relationship with his playing group. He’s invested time and effort into their personal development and, more importantly, how they play the game. He wants to teach the game and spend time with them.

But he has also got a hard edge about him that you need and he’ll set high standards.

MORE NEWS

Frawley’s regrets from radio ‘boys club’

Ratten puts Saints butchers on notice

Hilarious story of Saints’ one-game wonder

Ratten coached his own team, went to Hawthorn under the perfect model, then moved to St Kilda this year to help them out. After a slow start they finished the year playing better football despite some serious players being unavailable.

The Saints’ forward half game is strong. Their time in the forward half is ranked sixth in the competition and that’s a reflection of their improvement around the ball even without some of their key playmakers there. But they need to make that forward-half game more formidable and a major focus over summer will be increasing scores from stoppages in their forward 50

***Live stream the 2019 Toyota AFL Premiership Season on KAYO SPORTS. Every match of every round. Live & anytime on your TV or favourite device. Get your 14 day free trial >

Jack Newnes could be on the trade table.

I like that Jack Steele accepted the responsibility of playing on the opposition’s best while also being very strong in pursuit of winning the ball back.

The Saints tackle differential indicates their pressure game is healthy. They were prepared to work and hunt the opposition, they were up for the fight. That’s generally what you need to do if you want to be a good team defensively.

Originally published as Mick McGuane assesses St Kilda’s 2019 season and how they can improve