Every St Kilda player rated: Who shone in 2020, and who is contracted for next season?
St Kilda is coming off its best season in a decade. But despite the highly encouraging results, the club faces some tough list calls this off-season. Which out of contract Saints will be back next year? Every player rated here.
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It wasn’t the way St Kilda fans wanted the season to end, but coach Brett Ratten is sure that his team will only use its finals disappointment as fuel.
While the Saints fell 31 points short of reigning premier Richmond in their semi-final, Ratten said he was heartened by the team’s growth in 2020.
“We’ve got some work to do, but there’s been huge growth by our younger players, but we’re set up to take another step or put ourselves in the same spot,” he said after the game.
“That’s what we need to do. You need to keep turning up to finals and keep putting yourself in spots where you’re vulnerable, and sometimes you’re going to get disappointed.
“We’ve tasted it, so now the disappointment will drive the players through the pre-season and spur them on.”
Star midfielder Jack Steele was rewarded with the club best and fairest on Sunday, while the club farewelled five players in its first delistings of the off-season.
So where is every player placed? We take a look.
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1 NICK COFFIELD
Age: 20 Games: 36 Contract status: Contracted until end of 2021
Took a big step this season, particularly late in the year. His third season at the Saints, Coffield notched a team-high 100 marks across his 16 games, and he cemented his place as a core member of the team’s defensive unit. A top five finisher in the club best and fairest.
2 JAKE CARLISLE
Age: 29 Games: 147 Contract status: Out of contract
Played just 13 games in 2020, missing a number of games in the back-half of the year. Missed the semi-final as he returned south for the birth of his third child, but coach Brett Ratten said he expected the defender would earn a new contract for next season.
3 ZAK JONES
Age: 25 Games: 106 Contract status: Contracted until end of 2021
The hard-nosed midfielder slotted in beautifully after requesting a trade from Sydney to Moorabbin at the end of last season. Provided much needed dash in the midfield and toughness at the contest. A really valuable prospect if the Saints can jag another inside midfielder.
4 JADE GRESHAM
Age: 23 Games: 92 Contract status: Contracted until end of 2023
Had found some consistency in the first half of the season before he was sidelined with a stress fracture in his lower back. Provides a crumbing option in attack and regularly contributes to the scoreboard. Very handy at the feet of Max King and Tim Membrey.
5 SHANE SAVAGE
Age: 29 Games: 165 Contract status: Out of contract
Played just two games this season, the second being the semi-final loss to Richmond. Is just 29 so could yet have another couple of years in him, but will they be at Moorabbin? With a strong defensive outfit, could he go to a third club? There is interest.
6 SEB ROSS
Age: 27 Games: 140 Contract status: Contracted until end of 2021
Another top-10 finish in the club best and fairest after another solid year. The stand-in skipper again proved consistent and his ball-winning ability is so valuable to the Saints’ midfield set up.
7 LUKE DUNSTAN
Age: 25 Games: 104 Contract status: Contracted until end of 2021
A torn pectoral sidelined him for all of football’s restart, but still travelled to the team’s Queensland hub and delivered some promising practice match form. A frustrating year that ended with just one game under his belt.
8 BRADLEY HILL
Age: 27 Games: 168 Contract status: Contracted until end of 2024
The triple-premiership player arrived last off-season with a bang and started strongly before a mid-season dip. His dash and speed is valued and his good can be great, but unfortunately his finals campaign let him down.
9 JACK STEELE
Age: 24 Games: 97 Contract status: Contracted until end of 2022
What a year from the tough midfielder. Broke out of the mould of tagger to stamp his name on the competition and was rewarded with the club best and fairest, a top-five finish in both the AFLPA Most Valuable Player award and coaches’ nod. Oh, and an All-Australian Guernsey, too. Such an asset, and potentially a future captain.
10 DAN HANNEBERY
Age: 29 Games: 221 Contract status: Contracted until end of 2023
Again battled injury to play just eight games, having returned home from Queensland for mid-season hamstring surgery. Seriously needs some luck having been riddled since arriving at St Kilda, with another three years to run.
11 HUNTER CLARK
Age: 21 Games: 47 Contract status: Contracted until end of 2021
Has stepped up another rung this season out of defence, and has credited living with teammate Jack Lonie for helping take his game to another level. He’s “more switched on to what I need to get the best out of myself”, he said this year, and it has shown. Will be a long-term player.
12 MAX KING
Age: 20 Games: 18 Contract status: Contracted until end of 2022
Showed all the hallmarks that had preceded his arrival at Moorabbin, clunking marks and making his presence felt in attack. Wasn’t fazed by finals pressure. Kicked 22 goals in his 18 games and will only continue to build confidence to be a long-term player.
13 JACK LONIE
Age: 24 Games: 76 Contract status: Out of contract
Played 13 games in 2020, again in and out of the side with a few niggles. Has as many as four suitors chasing his services for 2021, including three Victorian clubs, the Herald Sun reported just last week, after being offered a one-year deal at Moorabbin. His score involvements are a valuable asset.
14 JARRYN GEARY
Age: 32 Games: 204 Contract status: Contracted until end of 2021
Shook off the disappointment of dual leg injuries in 2019 to play 16 games this season, flourishing late in a lockdown forward role with particular success in the elimination final against Caleb Daniel. Signed a new one-year deal last month.
15 JACK BILLINGS
Age: 25 Games: 126 Contract status: Contracted until end of 2021
Another really solid year from the forward, but he would be disappointed by his kicking in the finals. Always contributes and delivered strongly particularly in the middle of the season. Is – and probably always will be – compared to Marcus Bontempelli given their respective draft picks, but said “it’s been a very different journey”. “Personally I’m just rapt to get the opportunity to run out there on the big stage (in finals) and see how we go,” he said last month.
16 DAN BUTLER
Age: 24 Games: 64 Contract status: Contracted until end of 2021
Joined last off-season and looked right at home, with the speed and damaging ability that the Saints’ attack had so sorely needed. Saw out the season by finishing second in the team’s best and fairest and at one stage had been in Coleman contention. Just so valuable.
17 DYLAN ROBERTON
Age: 29 Games: 129 Contract status: Contracted until end of 2021
Unfortunately managed just the opening game of the season before he was sidelined for the remainder of the season. Had been in the mix for the team’s semi-final, but was overlooked in favour of Shane Savage. Had performed strongly in practice matches in Queensland and will be looking to return to the fold in 2021 with his heart troubles firmly behind him.
18 PADDY RYDER
Age: 32 Games: 257 Contract status: Contracted until end of 2021
What a year from the rucking recruit. Felt like he had more to give and he certainly did. It had been questioned by some as to how he would work with young tall Rowan Marshall, but the pairing was seamless. Was among the best on the ground in the team’s elimination final win before his season ended in heartbreaking fashion with a hamstring injury.
19 ROWAN MARSHALL
Age: 24 Games: 52 Contract status: Contracted until end of 2022
The young ruck took another step this year, further developing alongside Ryder and also able to contribute in front of goal. His overhead marking and work around the ground are a real asset, and he will only continue to develop. Touted as a potential future captain.
20 DOUGAL HOWARD
Age: 24 Games: 64 Contract status: Contracted until end of 2024
If his exit from Port Adelaide had proven “confusing”, as he said at the time, little looked more sure about the Saints’ set up in 2020 that Howard’s presence in defence. A pillar in every sense, Howard vindicated his move, his dedication to defence and the Saints’ faith in him with a top-three finish in the club best and fairest.
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21 BEN LONG
Age: 23 Games: 45 Contract status: Contracted until end of 2022
Showed the dash and dare that he has become known for, further developing at halfback, but was unfortunately again let down by ill-discipline. A three-game suspension mid-season was compounded with his bump on Bulldog Jack Macrae ultimately costing him a semi-final berth. Needs to fix that, urgently.
22 NATHAN BROWN
Age: 31 Games: 183 Contract status: Retired
A veteran of the Saints’ backline whose exit was all class. After travelling to the Queensland hub, Brown departed Noosa in July to support his family in Victoria, leaving a touching letter for his teammates. Will be missed at Moorabbin both on and off the field.
23 JACK BYTEL
Age: 20 Games: 3 Contract status: Out of contract
Made his long-awaited debut after a year-long injury in Round 11 and played three games on the trot, before finding himself again out of the side. Adds a big body to the Saints’ midfield, but remains without a contract for next season.
24 LOGAN AUSTIN
Age: 25 Games: 20 Contract status: Delisted
After he was traded from Port Adelaide at the end of 2017, Austin managed just seven games for the Saints in 2018 before two years in the wilderness. Had added attack to his game, delivering in a number of Queensland scratch matches, but ultimately did not earn a new deal.
25 DEAN KENT
Age: 26 Games: 91 Contract status: Contracted until end of 2021
A solid year of contribution from the zippy forward, chipping in with 10 goals across his 15 games. Just a hard worker and a valuable asset to have among the ranks, rewarded with his first finals.
26 JOSH BATTLE
Age: 22 Games: 40 Contract status: Contracted until end of 2022
A really promising showing from the young forward in 2020, which was unfortunately hampered by a late-season foot injury. Also can be swung to defence, which further adds to his value. Continues to build size and confidence.
27 RYAN ABBOTT
Age: 29 Games: 6 Contract status: Delisted
The former Geelong ruck had been in the mix for a finals spot given Ryder’s unfortunate hamstring injury but his one year at Moorabbin was fleeting, ultimately delisted at season’s end after signing at the end of 2019 as a delisted free agent and managing one game.
28 TIM MEMBREY
Age: 26 Games: 110 Contract status: Contracted until end of 2021
A leader of the club in every sense. A reliable set of hands in the forwardline with strong game sense who has really worked on his efficiency, and delivered another handy 20 goals in 2020 alongside Max King. Was rewarded with the team’s Robert Harvey award for best clubman.
29 JIMMY WEBSTER
Age: 27 Games: 93 Contract status: Contracted until end of 2022
A frustrating year for the defender, who unfortunately went without a senior game due to ongoing hamstring trouble. Will be raring to get going for 2021.
30 ED PHILLIPS
Age: 22 Games: 15 Contract status: Out of contract
Has valuable running power but didn’t get much opportunity to show it, playing just four games for the season. Has composure but just needs to secure consistent opportunity.
31 RYAN BYRNES
Age: 19 Games: Contract status: Contracted until end of 2021
Drafted at the end of last season, Byrnes managed just one game in his first season, making his debut against Adelaide in Round 7. Was named emergency a few times so was thereabouts, and arguably finished the year as the team’s best first year player.
33 BEN PATON
Age: 21 Games: 35 Contract status: Out of contract
Has broken out this year as a lockdown defender, taking big jobs on the likes of Toby Greene, Tom Papley and Liam Ryan and has played consistently. But the Saints will need to lock him in, with reports in recent weeks that he is being circled by opposition clubs. Watch this space.
34 MATT PARKER
Age: 24 Games: 19 Contract status: Out of contract
Couldn’t find the consistency that he had in 2019, and managed just two games. The mature-age recruit is determined not to give up on AFL footy after his swift rise to the top, but remains without a deal for next season.
35 JACK SINCLAIR
Age: 25 Games: 98 Contract status: Contracted until end of 2021
A dozen games for the speedy winger in 2020, who admits he was fuelled by his frustration at being named emergency for the first seven games of the year. It only spurred him to the brink of 100 games, with toil his specialty. Once he was in, he didn’t look back, with his versatility a prime asset. “I knew that I was going to get my chance eventually; it was just a matter of time I and just had to take it when I did,” he said.
36 DANIEL MCKENZIE
Age: 24 Games: Contract status: 49 Contracted until end of 2022
The defender was locked in with a new three-year deal last season but didn’t play this year. His competitiveness is noted as one of his strengths, but he was unable to break in despite being in the mix for the semi-final against Richmond. Had been floated in trade talks in 2019.
37 LEO CONNOLLY
Age: 19 Games: 0 Contract status: Contracted until end of 2021
In his first year at the club, Connolly has caught eyes in Queensland practice matches as he develops his game. Spent various periods working on his midfield game and also in attack, with developing versatility a focus. The elite kicker has another year to run.
38 OSCAR CLAVARINO
Age: 21 Games: 0 Contract status: Out of contract
Has had little luck in his years at the Saints, with syndesmosis plaguing him in 2019 and hamstring troubles in 2020. Had been in with a shot at a senior berth earlier this season, with his marking noted as a strength by assistant coach Ben McGlynn.
39 DARRAGH JOYCE
Age: 23 Games: 5 Contract status: Contracted until end of 2021
Didn’t manage a game this season after three last year, after he was elevated to the primary list at the end of 2019. Battled a hamstring injury midway through the year, and was swung into attack at times during practice matches in Queensland to further develop potential swingman potential. Another year to run.
40 NICK HIND
Age: 26 Games: 21 Contract status: Out of contract
Performed consistently this year in his 10 games, and had been a chance to replace Ben Long in the team’s semi-final. His best game came in Round 9, with his dash on the wing helping the Saints get over Sydney, but he remains without a contract.
42 JACK BELL
Age: 19 Games: 0 Contract status: Delisted
Unfortunately delisted at season’s end after not managing a game at senior level after being selected in last year’s rookie draft.
43 JONATHON MARSH
Age: 24 Games: 26 Contract status: Out of contract
Was in and out of the team before being ultimately recalled for the semi-final against Richmond in Carlisle’s absence. Is really solid down back and will be one to persevere with.
44 CALLUM WILKIE
Age: 24 Games: 41 Contract status: Contracted until end of 2021
Marked a really solid two years at the Saints with another 19 games. The former accountant does his bit to keep the numbers in check, guarding key players throughout the season before being given the job on Dustin Martin in the semi-final. Valuable.
45 SAM ALABAKIS
Age: 23 Games: 0 Contract status: Out of contract
The West Australian former basketballer was signed on a two-year rookie contract but remains without a senior berth. The former University of Colorado student is the equal-tallest player to be on an AFL list at 211cm, and continued his development in Queensland this year.
46 DOULTON LANGLANDS
Age: 21 Games: 3 Contract status: Delisted
Was signed as a rookie this year before he was ultimately let go without a 2020 senior game at season’s end.
48 JACK MAYO
Age: 21 Games: 0 Contract status: Delisted
Unfortunately let go without a senior game to his name after he was selected in last year’s mid-season rookie draft.
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