Ultimate St Kilda 2022 preview: Best 22, ladder prediction, players to watch
He was recruited on big money, but injuries have stopped Dan Hannebery having much of an impact for St Kilda. Will he still be in Brett Ratten’s best side in 2022?
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After storming into the semi-finals in 2020 – St Kilda’s first finals appearance since 2011 – the hopes of the Saints taking another step in 2021 were dashed.
As injuries cruelled the team’s campaign, with 162 games lost to the best 22, the Saints fell back outside the top eight to finish 10th with a 10-12 record.
St Kilda was unable to recover from a poor start to the season, losing four of its first 11 games by more than 50 points.
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St Kilda president Andrew Bassat said on the club’s best-and-fairest awards night the Saints had failed to meet on-field expectations in 2021
After topping up with mature-age talent in recent years, St Kilda has this year opted to take the path of regenerating its list at the draft.
WHERE DO THEY FINISH IN 2022?
If the Saints can have a clear run with injuries and recapture the speed and run which took them to the semi-finals in 2020, there is no reason they can’t be in the finals mix next year.
They finished one game – and percentage – outside of the top eight in 2021 with an injury-ravaged list.
There is plenty of upside among the young players on the list with Max King, Jack Bytel, Hunter Clark and Cooper Sharman, and they will be hoping Bradley Hill can recapture his best form.
BIGGEST IMPROVER
Hunter Clark. A broken jaw following a brutal collision with Crow David McKay stopped short a season where the Saints’ smooth mover took another step forward. Has looked at home at half-back but it’s in the midfield where he really could be the player the Saints need. His Round 1 effort against the Giants in the wet was a glimpse of what he is capable of. All he needs now is to force his way into the middle of the ground and continue his rise.
X-FACTOR
Max King. The No.4 draft pick has all the makings of an elite forward and is a young player Saints fans can get excited about. The 202cm King shrugged off goalkicking yips early in the year to boot 38 goals in his second season at the club, including a six-goal haul against West Coast in Round 19. Mid-year recruit Cooper Sharman also impressed in the five games he played after the forward was taken in the mid-season rookie draft in June, kicking 10 goals in four games.
St Kilda's best 22 for 2022
COACH STATUS
Entering his third year of his tenure at St Kilda, the pressure will be on Brett Ratten to get the Saints back into finals contention in the last year of his contract.
Rattan will be hoping he has the football injury gods on his side and the Saints will need a strong start to the season to hose down any speculation about his future.
WHO IS IN LAST YEAR OF THEIR CONTRACT
Ben Long, Ben Paton, Dan Butler, Dan Hannebery, Daniel McKenzie, Darragh Joyce, Dean Kent, Jack Bytel, Jack Steele, Jarryn Geary, Jimmy Webster, Josh Battle, Mason Wood, Matthew Allison, Max Heath, Paddy Ryder, Rowan Marshall, Ryan Byrnes, Tom Highmore.
INS FOR 2022
Tom Campbell (delisted free agent), Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (pick 11), Mitch Owens (33), Marcus Windhager (47), Oscar Adams (51), Jack Peris (category B rookie), Josiah Kyle (category B rookie)
OUTS FROM 2021
Sam Alabakis (delisted), Jake Carlisle (retired), Oscar Clavarino (delisted), Luke Dunstan (unrestricted free agent – Melbourne), James Frawley (retired), Paul Hunter (delisted), Jack Lonie (delisted), Shaun McKernan (retired), Dylan Roberton (retired)
FIRST SIX GAMES AND HOW MANY THEY WIN
Round 1: Collingwood @ Marvel Stadium – W
Round 2: Fremantle @ Optus Stadium – L
Round 3: Richmond @ Marvel Stadium – L
Round 4: Hawthorn @ MCG – W
Round 5: Gold Coast @ Marvel Stadium – W
Round 6: GWS @ Manuka – L
Prediction: 3 wins, 3 losses
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