St Kilda AFL finals news: Hunter Clark and Jade Gresham contract latest
The future of two key Saints remains up in the air as both elect to focus on St Kilda’s finals tilt rather than where they will be playing in 2024.
St Kilda
Don't miss out on the headlines from St Kilda. Followed categories will be added to My News.
In-demand St Kilda free agent Jade Gresham has given no indication of where he will play next year as he prepares for what could be his last game as a Saint.
The 135-game Saint will suit up for the first final of his career against GWS next Saturday but he played a straight bat on Thursday when asked by media about the decision to come at the end of the season.
“Obviously there is a big decision to make, to be honest I haven’t really given it too much thought,” he said.
“My main focus is playing finals next week and that is what my main focus is at the minute. I will leave that up to my manager and we will sort it out when the time is right.”
Gresham’s captain Jack Steele said on Wednesday he wanted the talented 26-year-old to stay at Moorabbin and coach Ross Lyon also said this week he was hopeful Gresham would stay.
Gresham said Lyon has been “awesome” for the club in his first season back at St Kilda and the pair share a bond having grown up in Reservoir, a suburb in Melbourne’s north.
But when pressed again on his future on Thursday, Gresham stuck to his lines.
“Like I said, I am really looking forward to playing my first final and that is all I am focused on at the minute,” he said.
Gresham was a spectator in 2020 when St Kilda last played finals as he was out with a stress fracture in his back.
Only 15 current AFL players have taken to the field more than Gresham’s 135 games without featuring in a final, with a number of players to be slashed from the list next week with Saint Jimmy Webster (149 games) and Carlton quartet Patrick Cripps (180), Sam Docherty (164), Jacob Weitering (156) and Jack Martin (146) all set to play.
“I have obviously wanted to play finals since I started playing AFL and I am just super excited, I can’t wait to get out there for the lads and hopefully all the Saints supporters can get out there and support us,” he said.
Hunter Clark is happy to wait until the end of the Saints’ finals run before diving into contract talks as he gets set to again switch off from the noise around his future this off-season.
The midfielder is due to play his 19th game of the season in next Saturday’s elimination final against GWS, a number that would mark a new career-high.
Clark, 24, said he felt this had likely been the best year of his career to date, after he was thrown up as a potential trade target to clear the books last October, when St Kilda pursued Collingwood star Jordan De Goey.
The De Goey move didn’t eventuate and Clark has carried on into the final season of a two-year contract this year.
He said while there had been some chat about a new deal, he was happy to park serious discussions for now.
The adaptable midfielder would be a suitable trade target for teams across the league if he chose to depart Moorabbin, with North Melbourne interested last year.
“I haven’t really thought about it (the contract) to be honest,” he said.
“I had a good year, the team has been playing well and I haven’t really thought about any of that. I am happy just to be out there next weekend and really excited to play some finals footy.
“There are things going on here and there (talks on a new deal) but I am just really loving where I am at at the moment so once it really needs to get talked about, it will get talked about.”
Clark said he had been able to push his uncertain future out of his mind this year as he focused on staying healthy, which he managed for most of the year around a mid-season knee hiccup.
He spent last off-season away overseas and while he was “obviously consumed” by a potential move, he tried to stay in holiday mode.
The 86-game Saint said he loved playing with St Kilda.
“I have had a lot of injuries throughout the years so I just wanted to build the confidence and I feel I have got that back and when those discussions need to happen, I have a good manager I really trust and I will let that take care of itself,” he said.
HOME MCG FINAL NO ISSUE FOR ‘ANYWHERE’ SAINTS
Chris Cavanagh
St Kilda captain Jack Steele says he is happy to play “anywhere” after the AFL scheduled the club a home elimination final against Greater Western Sydney at the MCG next weekend.
The Saints have played only two matches at the MCG this year for one win and one loss, their most recent match at the home of football coming against Richmond in round 14.
St Kilda’s home ground is Marvel Stadium, where it holds a 9-5 record this season.
“We’re just happy to be playing finals footy anywhere,” Steele said.
“We don’t really care. As long as we’re playing, that’s all that matters. To be doing it in Melbourne in front of our fans is great and it will be a great experience.”
St Kilda last featured in finals in 2020, winning an elimination final against the Western Bulldogs by three points at the Gabba.
The side went on to fall 31 points short of eventual premier Richmond in a semi-final the following week.
St Kilda enters September having won four of its past six matches, against a red-hot Giants side which has won nine of its past 11 games.
“Over the last month of footy we’ve picked up our form, which is pleasing,” Steele said.
“The way we’ve been playing this year – high-speed, high-run – I think definitely suits the finals brand that we’ve seen in years gone by. So I’m really looking forward to seeing what this young group can achieve.”
SAINT-TEMBER VIBES
There are plenty of smiles on faces around Moorabbin as St Kilda prepares for just its second finals campaign in 12 years.
Players have been told by coach Ross Lyon to make sure they enjoy the lead-up to an elimination final against Greater Western Sydney.
“That’s one message Ross made after the Brisbane game on the weekend was just to enjoy the next couple of weeks and what it brings because you don’t know when or if you’re going to experience it all again,” St Kilda captain Jack Steele said.
“So just soak it all and enjoy it. That’s what I’m going to do and I’m going to tell the players to do, too.”
INJURY WATCH
After missing the final match of the Home And Away season with knee soreness, key forward Max King will be ready to go for St Kilda’s first final.
King trained fully on Tuesday and was running freely, bending down to collect ground-balls with ease and kicking goals.
Key defender Dougal Howard has missed the past five games with a wrist injury, but also trained fully and completed all drills in his return to non-contact training this week.
Fellow backman Josh Battle was on light duties away from the main group after being subbed out of last weekend’s loss to Brisbane with concussion, but is expected to be available for the club’s first final.
Next Saturday’s match will be 14 days since Battle’s concussion – two days more than the 12-day minimum that players have to sit out after entering concussion protocols.
Midfielder Seb Ross (hamstring) was also on light duties and is in a race against time to be ready to tackle the Giants.
BEST SAINT?
St Kilda had three players named in the All-Australian squad of 44 this week – ruckman Rowan Marshall and defenders Callum Wilkie and Jack Sinclair.
But a long-time fan at training on Tuesday was overheard saying someone else was “the best player in the team”.
They were referring to Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, who has had an outstanding second season in the AFL and is preparing to play his first final.
The classy fan-favourite – who is still just 20 years old – is one of only eight Saints to have featured in every game this year and have a key role to play in September.
Wanganeen-Milera has averaged 23.5 disposals, 4.3 rebound 50s and 446 metres gained off halfback this season.
RELAXED ROSS
As he has most of the year, a relaxed Ross Lyon left Tuesday’s training session in the hands of his assistant coaches.
Lyon wasn’t barking any orders, instead standing around in the middle of the ground and having a chat to Saints’ head of development Damien Carroll, as well defender Josh Battle at one point.
Asked if there had been any change in Lyon’s demeanour in the lead up to a first final, Steele replied “No, not yet”.
“He’s definitely excited, as we all are,” Steele said.
“I’m sure as the week goes on and next week goes on we’ll see a bit more of that (competitive) side of Ross.”
Development coach Brendon Goddard was one of those giving instructions to players on Tuesday.
Goddard played for St Kilda in the club’s last finals win in Melbourne – a 24-point preliminary final win over the Western Bulldogs at the MCG in 2010.
More Coverage
Originally published as St Kilda AFL finals news: Hunter Clark and Jade Gresham contract latest
Lucky 13? How Suns can unlock Trade Period — again
Gold Coast holds the keys to another AFL Trade Period as the opening day of official dealing approaches, with its first-round pick set to shape the fates of several clubs — and key players.
Big wins for Saints, Giants after AFL hands out free agency compo
The first round of the AFL draft has blown out even more, with two more first-round picks heading to St Kilda and GWS as compensation for the departing Josh Battle and Harry Perryman.