St Kilda list analysis: Jon Ralph rates Ross Lyon’s 11 debutants since the start of 2024 AFL season

Ross Lyon and the Saints are all-in on transforming one of footy’s oldest lists into one of the competition’s most exciting. But just how good are the club’s youngsters? Jon Ralph takes a look.

Ross Lyon’s entirely justified rant about the VFL system’s failings on Wednesday represented a coach at the end of his tether.

A leader desperately attempting to transform his club’s list profile has been hit with Murphy’s Law.

The early-season fixture was challenging enough – three clashes in Adelaide so far and contests against three 2024 preliminary finalists and two of this season’s big improvers in the Bulldogs and Adelaide.

But the four-week VFL ban handed to Alix Tauru turns into a six-week break because of two VFL byes – proving anything that could go wrong St Kilda has often done so.

Wins over quality contenders Geelong and Port Adelaide and an 82-point victory over Richmond have been followed by a trio of losses.

The recent setbacks have camouflaged the signs of life at St Kilda as Lyon gets to work transforming one of footy’s oldest lists into a bright, exciting team.

Lyon can’t take a trick with his availability but is also aware at some stage the wheel will turn.

He knows he has four drafts worth of youngsters at his disposal.

He just needs some luck.

THE SAINTS THIS YEAR

Tauru was on the verge of a Friday night debut when his high bump on a VFL opponent effectively postponed his first possible AFL game until round 15.

Pick 10 Mattaes Phillipou had a career-best pre-season as a top four performer before a femur bone stress condition, then copped a corky in training that puts his Friday night return in doubt.

Young Irish defender Liam O’Connell took the match-saving mark against Geelong then was concussed by Rhyan Mansell’s push into traffic in the following game.

Max King got through a full pre-season then needed multiple surgeries – putting him out until round 17 – after a knock on the knee in the club’s first practice game.

So inside mid Hugh Boxhall will be the club’s 11th debutant since the start of 2024 when he takes on Fremantle – all of those players picked by master recruiter Simon Dalrymple.

How many of those players will be part of the next finals charge, whether it occurs in 2026 or later?

As Lyon said on Thursday, St Kilda has done the work on its list and now wants to show it.

“We are the third youngest list (in the AFL). We are trying to evolve and change from the second oldest list in 21 and the fifth oldest in 22 and now we are the third youngest,” he said.

“(Brisbane) are physical and ferocious but it’s what we have been at times. Last year’s Grand Finalists are 2-5, it’s a tough competition and it’s a good reminder for me.

“We are in the growth mindset but we want to improve really quickly, individually and collectively.”

SO HOW GOOD ARE THE ST KILDA KIDS?

Lyon would be aware four years of drafting – taking 19 national draft picks and an assortment of rookies and recycled talent – has given him 13 players 20 and under and 22 who are 22 and under.

Finding the absolute A grade midfield talent is the next step, given few of those players started their careers as out-and-out inside mids and Travaglia is the only players taken inside the top 10 of the draft.

(Tauru and Phillipou are both pick 10s, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera is a pick 11).

Phillipou’s last four games of 2024 showed he was capable (averaging 22.5 touches, 4.2 clearances and 6.5 tackles), while Lyon believes pick eight Toby Travaglia’s ‘see-ball get-ball’ instinct will make him a centre square mid.

Wanganeen-Milera wants to play as a centre square midfielder and is finally getting that chance – he had a career-high four centre square clearances against the Lions.

And along with King, pick 18 Darcy Wilson and Mitch Owens he is the centrepiece of the rebuild.

But this club needs depth in positions, which is why the strong VFL performance of pick 32 James Barrat would have thrilled Lyon.

Barrat hauled in three intercept marks and 12 intercept possessions in his last outing and despite being only 18 is one to watch as a 194cm key back.

Anthony Caminiti is only 21 and has averaged 2.3 intercept marks a game, allowing Mitch Georgiades three goals in an absorbing battle with Aaron Naughton kicking two on him and Eric Hipwood three before he was thrown forward.

Cooper Sharman has kicked only seven goals in five games and while Mitch Owens has been excellent (11 goals in six games) they badly need a King type to help out.

Originally published as St Kilda list analysis: Jon Ralph rates Ross Lyon’s 11 debutants since the start of 2024 AFL season