Alan Richardson says St Kilda has the talent to win premiership this season

CAN St Kilda replicate the premiership heroics of the Western Bulldogs and Richmond this season? Coach Alan Richardson says anything is possible.

ALAN Richardson says St Kilda can win this year’s premiership, adamant the Saints’ game plan and established core of talent can take them deep into September.

St Kilda has endured an off-season full of question marks as critics wonder if the club’s lack of A-graders will see them in a holding pattern this season.

But ahead of the club’s first JLT clash against Carlton on Wednesday night, a bullish Richardson believes the sky is the limit.

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Asked if the Saints could replicate the premiership heroics of the Western Bulldogs and Richmond, Richardson could not see why not.

“The Saints have the potential to do anything. We saw that last year, whether it was against Richmond or GWS. We have an enormous potential and upside,’’ he said.

“I’m really excited about this year. We just need to continue to improve. We’ve won more games than we have lost over the past two years.

“Things are headed the right way. I’m really confident our plan stacks up in terms of method of play. I’m really bullish about our list. We’ve got a lot of talent in that group.”

St Kilda coach Alan Richardson is aiming high this season. Picture: Michael Klein

In a Fox Footy interview to be broadcast during Wednesday night’s game, Richardson said the loss of the club’s trio of veterans can have a silver lining.

“It’s been a really positive pre-season. With Nick Riewoldt, Leigh Montagna and Sean Dempster moving on, the boys have really embraced the message of their footy team now and it’s time to step up,” he said.

“(David Armitage) looks like a new recruit. It’s like going to the draft and picking up a 29-year-old experienced inside mid who at his best is one of the best inside mids in the game.

“He’s done just about everything, Dave. We’ve been a little bit cautious for obvious reasons (given back and groin issues) but so far he’s really healthy, which is a real positive.”

Under Champion Data’s rankings comparing players over the past two seasons, wingman Jack Sinclair is St Kilda’s only “elite’’ player.

But St Kilda has a huge group of players who can make a similar progression to Seb Ross — with 21 players in the 21-25 year old bracket, second only to Melbourne.

The Saints need players such as Seb Ross to take their game to another level to them into finals. Picture: Michael Klein

They are also the fourth youngest side, yet after the unexpected triumphs of Hawthorn (2008), Richmond and the Dogs in the past decade, fans can expected the unexpected.

In the forward line alone, Patrick McCartin, Jack Billings, Jade Gresham and Tim Membrey have X-factor written all over them in years to come.

Midfield stars Ross and Jack Steven are rated only average by Champion Data, taking into account Ross’s quieter 2016 and Steven’s injury-hit second half of 2018.

St Kilda will also put on show its forward craft against the Blues, with many of its players putting into effect new routines under newly employed kicking coach Ben Dixon.

“Dicko is doing a really good job,” Richardson said.

“He has a real balance between building relationships, but he has got a really good handle technically on goal kicking and trying to work out what best suits the particular athlete.

“So far he has been really impressive.”

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Champion Data player rankings entering 2018

Elite:

Jack Sinclair

Above average:

Jack Billings

Jake Carlisle

Tim Membrey

Jade Gresham

Shane Savage

Dylan Roberton

Jack Newnes

Average:

Seb Ross

Jack Steven

Jimmy Webster

Billy Longer

Blake Acres

Jarryn Geary

Tom Hickey

Mav Weller

Jack Lonie

Jack Steele

Darren Minchington

Daniel McKenzie

Sam Gilbert