- Sep 8, 2015
- 2,636
- 3,377
- AFL Club
- St Kilda
http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/01/20/2016-afl-preview-st-kildas-best-22/
2016 AFL preview: St Kilda’s best 22
After a couple years of picking up the pieces of a failed Ross Lyon era, St Kilda now have reason to be optimistic heading into 2016.
The Saints had fairly low expectations for 2015, so six wins and a draw will definitely go down as a successful step forward for the club.
They were able to see the development of a handful of exciting young prospects, while still enjoying the class of some of their veterans.
St Kilda managed to have some quality wins in 2015, including a 110-point smashing of Essendon and a 55-point comeback against the Western Bulldogs. Coach Allan Richardson and the Saints did suffer some beltings of their own from the likes of Port Adelaide, Sydney and the West Coast Eagles but that comes with the territory of being a young team.
The Saints did fall off near the end of the season but that didn’t eliminate the emergence of the likes of Jack Lonie, Jack Sinclair and Josh Bruce. Pair that with the continued improvement from Dylan Roberton, David Armitage and Jack Steven, and the Saints have moulded together a list that could have the potential to shock the league in 2016, similar to how the Western Bulldogs did in 2015.
The presence of Nick Riewoldt and Leigh Montagna simply cannot be overlooked, as their leadership and experience is a major help to the younger guys. Riewoldt and Montagna, two of the AFL’s most respected players, will be able to mentor the younger Saints and ensure they leave the club in good hands once they hang the boots on their tremendous careers.
St Kilda have already been dealt a major blow to their 2016 aspirations, though, as their marquee free agent signing of Jake Carlise from Essendon has turned out to be a disaster so far, with the most frustrating part being the Saints couldn’t do anything to stop it.
First was the idiotic video of Carlise snorting a white substance that went viral, which caused St Kilda to take action, adjusting the salary number on his contract. That was just the beginning, though, as Carlise is now suspended for the entire season due to his involvement in the Bombers’ 2012 supplements saga.
This suspension simply leaves a huge gap in the Saints’ back-line. St Kilda were slated to play Carlise as a halfback this season, as Riewoldt and Bruce have the forward line nailed down.
Jimmy Webster gets the first chance of attempting to hold up the centre halfback slot but guys like Sean Dempster and Sam Fisher could fill in as well. No one player will be able to replace Carlise, it will take a team effort from a number of Saints defenders to help cover the loss.
Best 22
B: Hugh Goddard, Sean Dempster, Jarryn Geary
HB: Sam Fisher, Jimmy Webster, Dylan Roberton
C: Leigh Montagna, David Armitage, Jack Newnes
HF: Maverick Weller, Nick Riewoldt, Jack Billings
F: Jack Sinclair, Josh Bruce, Jack Lonie
Foll: Billy Longer, Luke Dunstan, Jack Steven
INT: Paddy McCartin, Shane Savage, Sam Gilbert, Seb Ross
MVP: Jack Steven
After improving steadily year by year, Steven launched himself into the elite level of AFL midfielders with a stellar 2015, which saw him take home the Saints’ best and fairest award.
Steven has that innate ability to combine a tough, in-and-under style with just enough finesse to make him a nightmare for opposition teams. He averaged just fewer than 27 disposals, 15.6 kicks, 11.3 handballs, 6.9 tackles and 4.4 marks per game last season, but what is even more impressive is the fact he finished first in the league in inside 50s and fourth in tackles.
This is an indication of how Steven is able to affect the game with his physicality but also use his talent to continue to move the Saints forward. Steven is able to affect the game in multiple ways and there is no reason he won’t improve in 2016 and beyond.
Future Star: Jack Lonie
One of the multiple young Saints to show encouraging signs in 2015, Lonie was able to establish himself as arguably St Kilda’s best young talent. The left-footer was able to impose himself physically in his debut AFL season, as he never shied away from contact, finishing the season averaging just a touch under three tackles per game.
“Jack has shown enormous promise,” Richardson told St Kilda’s club website. “He has won the respect of his teammates through his effort and the spirit in which he plays the game. He has a great combination to be able to apply pressure in the front half, coupled with his creative football instincts.”
Lonie was a pleasant surprise for the Saints in 2015, after being selected with the 41st pick in the 2014 draft, and the sky is the limit for the small forward.
Make or Break: Shane Savage
Choosing a make or break candidate from the Saints’ best 22 is an extremely difficult task. It would have been Carlise, but his season has already been broken.
Savage had himself a very nice 2015 season, averaging 17.7 disposals per game, so placing this mantle on him is in no means a knock on his game. It simply points to the number of other players that can play Savage’s role, from Sam Fisher to Jimmy Webster to Dylan Roberton to Jarryn Geary.
Carlise’s loss means these Saints defenders all face a big season and Savage is one of them. There is really no Saint facing a huge make or break season, but if one had to be chosen, it could be Savage
.....WTF Jimmy Webster at centre half back man and I thought the paid journalists were lazy
2016 AFL preview: St Kilda’s best 22
After a couple years of picking up the pieces of a failed Ross Lyon era, St Kilda now have reason to be optimistic heading into 2016.
The Saints had fairly low expectations for 2015, so six wins and a draw will definitely go down as a successful step forward for the club.
They were able to see the development of a handful of exciting young prospects, while still enjoying the class of some of their veterans.
St Kilda managed to have some quality wins in 2015, including a 110-point smashing of Essendon and a 55-point comeback against the Western Bulldogs. Coach Allan Richardson and the Saints did suffer some beltings of their own from the likes of Port Adelaide, Sydney and the West Coast Eagles but that comes with the territory of being a young team.
The Saints did fall off near the end of the season but that didn’t eliminate the emergence of the likes of Jack Lonie, Jack Sinclair and Josh Bruce. Pair that with the continued improvement from Dylan Roberton, David Armitage and Jack Steven, and the Saints have moulded together a list that could have the potential to shock the league in 2016, similar to how the Western Bulldogs did in 2015.
The presence of Nick Riewoldt and Leigh Montagna simply cannot be overlooked, as their leadership and experience is a major help to the younger guys. Riewoldt and Montagna, two of the AFL’s most respected players, will be able to mentor the younger Saints and ensure they leave the club in good hands once they hang the boots on their tremendous careers.
St Kilda have already been dealt a major blow to their 2016 aspirations, though, as their marquee free agent signing of Jake Carlise from Essendon has turned out to be a disaster so far, with the most frustrating part being the Saints couldn’t do anything to stop it.
First was the idiotic video of Carlise snorting a white substance that went viral, which caused St Kilda to take action, adjusting the salary number on his contract. That was just the beginning, though, as Carlise is now suspended for the entire season due to his involvement in the Bombers’ 2012 supplements saga.
This suspension simply leaves a huge gap in the Saints’ back-line. St Kilda were slated to play Carlise as a halfback this season, as Riewoldt and Bruce have the forward line nailed down.
Jimmy Webster gets the first chance of attempting to hold up the centre halfback slot but guys like Sean Dempster and Sam Fisher could fill in as well. No one player will be able to replace Carlise, it will take a team effort from a number of Saints defenders to help cover the loss.
Best 22
B: Hugh Goddard, Sean Dempster, Jarryn Geary
HB: Sam Fisher, Jimmy Webster, Dylan Roberton
C: Leigh Montagna, David Armitage, Jack Newnes
HF: Maverick Weller, Nick Riewoldt, Jack Billings
F: Jack Sinclair, Josh Bruce, Jack Lonie
Foll: Billy Longer, Luke Dunstan, Jack Steven
INT: Paddy McCartin, Shane Savage, Sam Gilbert, Seb Ross
MVP: Jack Steven
After improving steadily year by year, Steven launched himself into the elite level of AFL midfielders with a stellar 2015, which saw him take home the Saints’ best and fairest award.
Steven has that innate ability to combine a tough, in-and-under style with just enough finesse to make him a nightmare for opposition teams. He averaged just fewer than 27 disposals, 15.6 kicks, 11.3 handballs, 6.9 tackles and 4.4 marks per game last season, but what is even more impressive is the fact he finished first in the league in inside 50s and fourth in tackles.
This is an indication of how Steven is able to affect the game with his physicality but also use his talent to continue to move the Saints forward. Steven is able to affect the game in multiple ways and there is no reason he won’t improve in 2016 and beyond.
Future Star: Jack Lonie
One of the multiple young Saints to show encouraging signs in 2015, Lonie was able to establish himself as arguably St Kilda’s best young talent. The left-footer was able to impose himself physically in his debut AFL season, as he never shied away from contact, finishing the season averaging just a touch under three tackles per game.
“Jack has shown enormous promise,” Richardson told St Kilda’s club website. “He has won the respect of his teammates through his effort and the spirit in which he plays the game. He has a great combination to be able to apply pressure in the front half, coupled with his creative football instincts.”
Lonie was a pleasant surprise for the Saints in 2015, after being selected with the 41st pick in the 2014 draft, and the sky is the limit for the small forward.
Make or Break: Shane Savage
Choosing a make or break candidate from the Saints’ best 22 is an extremely difficult task. It would have been Carlise, but his season has already been broken.
Savage had himself a very nice 2015 season, averaging 17.7 disposals per game, so placing this mantle on him is in no means a knock on his game. It simply points to the number of other players that can play Savage’s role, from Sam Fisher to Jimmy Webster to Dylan Roberton to Jarryn Geary.
Carlise’s loss means these Saints defenders all face a big season and Savage is one of them. There is really no Saint facing a huge make or break season, but if one had to be chosen, it could be Savage
.....WTF Jimmy Webster at centre half back man and I thought the paid journalists were lazy
