Nick Riewoldt turns the heat up on St Kilda ahead of Round 1 clash with Collingwood

The microscope has been on St Kilda throughout the pre-season after a disappointing 2021. So what happens if the Saints lose to Collingwood?

Danny Frawley’s wife Anita and daughters Chelsea and Daniella at the Danny Frawley centre. Picture: Michael Klein

St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt says no team will be under a bigger spotlight than the Saints in Round 1 when they take on Collingwood.

Coach Brett Ratten is out of contract this season, and Riewoldt said there was no reason to rush a decision on his future, even if the Saints falter early in the season.

The spectre of Hawthorn premiership mastermind Alastair Clarkson looms large for Gold Coast and St Kilda, which has the longest premiership drought in the game.

Clarkson said this week it was “more likely I’ll coach again”.

Riewoldt, who was speaking at the Fox Footy 2022 launch, said this season would answer key questions about the Saints’ list strategy which has included topping up on mature-age talent, such as Brad Hill, Zak Jones, Brad Crouch and Daniel Hannebery in recent years.

He said the season-opener was high stakes for the Saints as they were favoured to knock off the younger Magpies at Marvel Stadium under lights.

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The 2021 season was another tough one for St Kilda. Picture: Michael Klein

“I’m looking for where the upside is going to come from,” Riewoldt said.

“Players like (Jade) Gresham back in are really important because they haven’t had that x-factor player.

“Do they settle (Brad) Hill in defence? There are a lot of questions that we will get a pretty good answer to this year and in Round 1, I’m not sure Round 1 is more important for any side than St Kilda.

“I don’t mean to put the pressure on them, but I think it’s a game most people would really expect them to win.

“And they haven’t handled that expectation, so for me it’s about how they embrace the challenge.”

The Saints started poorly last season but improved markedly in the second half of the year, after a stinging assessment from the president Andrew Bassat.

Saints chiefs have weighed up the merits of an early extension for Ratten to help alleviate any pressure on him, against a wait-and-see approach.

They take on Collingwood, Fremantle, Richmond and Hawthorn in the first month.

Riewoldt, who won six best and fairests and captained the club in 221 games, said it was wise for Saints’ powerbrokers to take their time on a call on the coach’s future.

“A sensible way to do it is to measure it (performance) over the course of the season, so it’s not a knee-jerk (reaction) if it’s the case they don’t get off to a great start,” he said.

“Just like with any (AFL) coach, I want to see growth, and growth in some of the players we are expecting to perform really well.

“(Nick) Coffield (knee) would have been one, but I want to see Hunter Clark go to the next level, and I want to see Max King develop more consistency.

“I want to see some of these big recruits deliver consistently.

“Jade Gresham has all the talent in the world, and I get he’s coming back from a significant injury, but that will dictate how St Kilda is going to go and then dictate how Brett Ratten is judged.”

Do the Saints have what it takes to play finals in 2022? Picture: Michael Klein

FRAWLEY LEGACY LIVES ON IN MENTAL HEALTH GAME CHANGER

Danny Frawley’s family believe the mental health and wellness centre named in the late St Kilda champion’s honour will change — and potentially save — lives as his enduring legacy.

While his wife Anita and daughters Chelsea, Danielle and Keeley know the “scar” on their hearts over his loss more than two years ago will last forever, they draw strength from the fact that the Danny Frawley Centre for Health and Wellbeing can prove a mental health game-changer.

The first stage will open on Tuesday at St Kilda’s RSEA Park at Moorabbin, with the aim to make it as welcoming as Danny was.

It will honour Frawley’s life – which ended tragically, at 56, in September 2019 – but also immortalise his legacy as a footballer and passionate mental health advocate.

“This is bigger than footy; this is hopefully about saving lives,” Frawley’s wife Anita said.

“We hope this centre will help change and shape the lives of the community and past players, which Danny was passionate about.

Danny Frawley’s family outside the building named in his honour. Picture: Michael Klein

“I wouldn’t wish anyone to go through that horrible time that we went through as a family.

“We will always have the scar on our hearts and a sense of loss and sadness. But this has given us a chance to look forward and try and help shape the future in mental health.

“Hopefully, the centre can show there can be light at the end for people facing challenges.”

The Danny Frawley Centre for Health and Wellbeing, powered by AIA Vitality, will house a range of physical and mental health facilities including aquatic, rehabilitation and recovery programs.

The initial stage will include a 25m lap pool, a hydrotherapy pool, research and community programs, with learn-to-swim and community resilience programs.

It will be open to the community from March 7, with programs free until April 28 — the 38th anniversary of Frawley’s first match at Moorabbin.

A hi-tech recovery centre, community gym, mindfulness/yoga space, Allied health services, consulting suites and outdoor community spaces will open later this year.

Danny Frawley was a beloved figure at St Kilda and in the wider footy world. Picture: Getty Images

St Kilda chief executive Matt Finnis said the centre would provide “a beacon of hope” for many in the community.

“It has the potential to make a genuine contribution to the work which Government, health organisations and the broader community is doing to combat the scourge of mental illness,” Finnis said.

“Danny was courageously vocal in urging people to look out for each other, to seek help and to prioritise their mental health. But the reality is that stigmatised narratives surrounding mental health continue to exist and must be shifted.

“And that’s why it’s so critical that we, as community organisations and leaders, invest the time, money, thought and energy to find new ways to have an impact.”

Anita said the Covid pandemic made mental health services more critical.

“Danny always talked about wanting to make a difference,” she said.

“With Covid hitting, there is a real need for this facility for the community and the state and federal governments saw that as well.”

The exterior of the new Danny Frawley Centre at St Kilda Football Club’s Moorabbin headquarters. Picture: Michael Klein

The Frawley family, including Chelsea – who is St Kilda’s marketing manager – liaised with Finnis to ensure the centre had a feel that Danny would have loved.

His favourite colour blue forms part of the Centre backdrop, with Chelsea saying the branding was based on a smile, which Danny was renowned for.

‘It’s blue, and he would have loved that,” Chelsea said. “Even in the branding, we worked with the club on a graphic design that is kind of a smile – as Dad was always smiling, and he would want people to leave the centre with a smile

“We are really blessed … not every family gets this kind of legacy piece.”

Danielle Frawley said her father’s passion for fitness as well as mental health wellbeing blended perfectly with the centre.

“It’s so good this is all in the one spot for people,” Danielle said. “I can’t really think of any other place like it. You can go and work out, and also work on your mental health and mindfulness as well.”

Keeley Frawley added: “He will be remembered as more than just an ex-footballer; he transcends football as someone who helped so many people and will continue to do so.”

For more information on the Danny Frawley Centre, visit dannyfrawleycentre.com.au