The list holes, ‘uninspiring’ game plan and trade disasters which mean St Kilda can’t consider 2025 a success despite making finals
The Saints made finals this season — but can’t let that paper over the cracks ridden through their side. Kate Salemme unpacks the horror trades, ‘uninspiring’ gameplan and list holes they must fix.
St Kilda broke through this season but key list gaps still separate the club from the competition’s best.
Playing finals for the first time was a great achievement, particularly despite a crippling injury list that included young gun Ash Richards (leg), Molly McDonald (leg), Bianca Jakobsson (leg), Nicola Xenos (knee), Olivia Vesely (calf), Bec Ott (Achilles) and Emmelie Fiedler (inactive, ACL). The team showed admirable resilience to keep winning.
But the Saints can’t let playing finals paper over issues with their list and the gap between their best and worst. While they had some good wins, including defeating Adelaide in Round 1 and Carlton in Round 10, they were too inconsistent again. They were blown off the park by Melbourne (74 points), gave up what should have been a matchwinning lead against West Coast, were never in it against Hawthorn and like everyone else, were smashed by North Melbourne.
Overall, they played a slow and uninspiring brand of footy featuring long down the line kicks, making it almost impossible to transition the ball, ranking 17th for inside 50s, 16th for marks inside 50 and conceded over 150 more inside 50s to their opposition. They also ranked 16th for uncontested possessions, 15th for contested possessions and 12th for clearances.
Over the past three seasons St Kilda has made crucial trade and recruiting mistakes, including moving its prized No. 8 pick (pushed to No. 9 on draft night) in last year’s super draft for Essendon’s Amber Clarke. While I like the recruitment of Clarke, who brings the speed and power they desperately need, they overpaid.
Trading for ex-Giant Nicola Barr was also a head-scratcher as they already have a plethora of similar players, including Charlotte Baskaran, who they traded in from Hawthorn last year, Vesely, Hannah Priest, Darcy Guttridge and Alice Burke.
Taking Kiera Whiley with pick No. 10 in 2023 was a huge blunder. An inside midfielder, Whiley was not on my draft board that year for a range of reasons and her selection, particularly so early, raised plenty of eyebrows. Whiley played only three games before retiring ahead of this season.
Zoe Besanko with pick No. 32 and Kyla Forbes with 55 in last year’s draft were also errors. While Besanko is athletic, she’s not the answer up forward and Forbes is not where the game is going despite possessing good foot skills.
The Saints did, however, land one of the all-time trade steals in 180cm key defender Paige Trudgeon from Carlton at the end of 2023 for a draft pick the Blues didn’t use. She has been outstanding and should have been in the All-Australian squad this year. Despite being one of the league’s best 1v1 defenders, I’d love to see her played higher up the ground as her aerobic capacity, she came third in the club’s time trial, elite speed for her height and booming kick could be better utilised.
Prior to season eight they nabbed 2024 All-Australian squad members Jesse Wardlaw and Serene Watson for pick Nos. 6, 14, 31 and Clara Fitzpatrick. Those selections were in the supplementary draft (held between seasons seven and eight as a stop-gap as no under-18 footy had been played), where only 10 of 29 players selected remain on lists.
Prior to injury I loved the development of Richards, who showed she can be a matchwinner, Tyanna Smith lifted herself into the top echelon, Nicola Stevens was reliable in shutting down some of the best forwards, Alice Burke had a breakout season and I liked the look of Alana Gee on the wing as she brought speed and chaos.
There are also positional decisions coach Nick Dal Santo needs to make and stick to, so they can plan their trade and draft strategies accordingly. That includes where to play Richards, is she a forward or a midfielder? It’s the same for Clarke and J’Noemi Anderson, and they need to settle Wardlaw into a pure forward role without the ruck rotation. By moving Wardlaw they hamstring their own scoring ability.
LIST NEEDS
The Saints have too many of the same types of players who lack the athleticism, skill and speed needed for AFLW. The forward line is the biggest concern. Wardlaw is a powerhouse but can’t do it on her own. They need at least two-three more scoring options, a key forward and dynamic smalls who bring speed, pressure and goal sense.
The defence is the strongest line but it’s slow and lacks creativity. Watson had a standout season but like her teammates went long to contest too often, resulting in turnovers. I’d look at moving Georgia Patrikios to half back to try and generate some better ball movement. If not, then a midfielder or defender with pace and skill is a must in this trade/draft period. I hope a trip to Ireland has been planned.
They also need a big-bodied inside midfielder. Jaimee Lambert is 33 and should be transitioned into a small forward or defender role, while Tyanna Smith had an excellent season but I’d love to see her used as a game-breaking outside midfielder.
TRADE TARGETS
North Melbourne’s Emma King would be a great get as a short-term key forward to ease the pressure on Wardlaw. King was squeezed out of the Kangaroos’ team earlier this season and if there are plans to transition away from either her or Kate Shierlaw, the Saints would be a perfect landing spot.
To add bravery and speed of ball movement I’d look at Bulldog Maggie Gorham and Lion Lily Postlethwaite. Gorham can play half back or wing and help transform the Saints’ game style with her ability to run and carry and make brave decisions with the ball. Postlethwaite brings speed, good skills and decision-making. Could she be enticed away from the Lions with the promise of a bigger role?
Geelong’s Becky Webster has been moved to half back but could midfield minutes lure her to the Saints? Her size, clearance game and footy IQ would be ideal alongside Smith and Patrikios, while Grace Egan has essentially been delisted by Richmond and would be another good get as an inside mid.
TRADE BAIT
Vesely has had an injury-interrupted last two seasons and I’m unsure where her best position is. She’s been used as an inside mid, wing and forward, and I feel that’s because she’s surplus to needs. At her best she has ball-winning potential but I think a move would benefit both player and club.
Ella Friend has been moved to defence after struggling as a forward in recent seasons but she doesn’t fit the athletic needs of the current backline. Could Hawthorn, who was exposed for its lack of key defenders in the finals, be a good fit to allow Jenna Richardson to play as an interceptor again, a role that saw her named in the All-Australian squad last year.
UNTOUCHABLES
Wardlaw, Watson, Smith, Trudgeon, Richards, Patrikios.
CRYSTAL BALL
The Saints have the nucleus of a team that can challenge for finals again next year but is still a way off being a premiership contender. Adding scoring power in the next two trade and draft periods will be critical, in addition to being courageous with list decisions to get its athletic profile more in line with where AFLW is headed, as the top teams possess numerous players with a blend of skill, speed and athleticism to play fast footy. As one of the only clubs without an Irish player, I’d love to see them recruit two or three to bring the dynamic edge they’re lacking.
Originally published as The list holes, ‘uninspiring’ game plan and trade disasters which mean St Kilda can’t consider 2025 a success despite making finals
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