- Oct 2, 2010
- 19,701
- 70,584
- AFL Club
- St Kilda
AFL 2021: Mick Malthouse previews St Kilda’s season
Mick Malthouse says it’s time St Kilda stop dwelling on its near-misses of the past if the club wants to end its 55-year premiership drought. Here’s his Saints blueprint.
St Kilda has been a hard luck story since 1966 when it won its first and only flag.
Victorian teams have won 13 of the last 21 AFL premierships.
Since 2000 St Kilda has been in the finals eight times without a flag, compared to Geelong with 16 finals’ campaigns and three premierships, Hawthorn 12 finals series and four flags, Richmond eight and three cups, and Collingwood 13 and one premiership.
Of the Victorian teams only Carlton and Melbourne have fared worse.
If not for Paul Chapman
’s snap over the shoulder goal in 2009, and an askew bounce for Stephen Milne
in 2010, perhaps the Saints would have been back-to-back premiers, but their “bad luck” was “good luck” for the Cats and the Pies.
In the past two decades St Kilda has had seven coaches.
It’s been captained by the likes of one of the game’s all-time greats in Nick Riewoldt, and had inspirational leaders in Robert Harvey, Lenny Hayes
, Luke Ball and Aaron Hamill
. Plus Coleman medallist Fraser Gehrig, All-Australian forward pocket goal sneak Milne, Brendon Goddard, Sam Fisher
, Leigh Montagna
, Nick Dal Santo
and the playing list goes on.
But just like Carlton where the excuses have run out, this is a make-or-break year for the Saints.
Brett Ratten
is a no-excuse type person, so there is no fear he is dwelling on bad luck syndrome.
The Saints need to acknowledge last year when they were beaten by the Tigers in the semi-final and get better.
Melbourne was wonderful in 2018, finishing fourth before West Coast stopped the Demons in their tracks in a preliminary final.
The Demons didn’t make the finals in the next season, finishing 17th.
St Kilda of old has had a tendency to look back, but this is a chance to look forward, at what it can achieve if it builds on last season’s result instead of dwelling on it.
The Saints will start the year with many players missing from their “best” side.
What appeared to be a wonderful ruck duo has dissolved before Ratten’s eyes.
When Rowan Marshall
and Paddy Ryder are fit they present as good a ruck combination as there is.
Jarryn Geary
has undergone surgery again after a training injury.
Max King
will miss Round 1 with concussion after being hit on the head with a golf ball. When does the bad luck end and common sense take over?
Since when do you play practice matches at fullbore where a Ben Paton broken leg is the result of a tackle by an assistant coach?
St Kilda has to take more responsibility on and off the ground.
It’s made some interesting trades in the last couple of seasons … interesting because not a lot have passed the test.
Dan Butler has been good but patchy.
Bradley Hill went missing when the heat was applied last year.
Dougal Howard
has been fine. Zak Jones
injured.
Paddy Ryder OK.
Dan Hannebery came with injuries from Sydney, got injured again, and still has injury issues.
If the Saints can pull it together Ratten will have a wonderful team at his disposal.
The early indication is that they will be an attacking side, but with the addition of multiple-
possession getter Brad Crouch
, who struggled to defend in Adelaide, the midfield could still have problems being accountable through the corridor.
Jack Steele
is the only player in the middle who seems to know that he has an opponent.
But I do love the way Ben Long
and Hunter Clark
go about their work in the backline.
Jade Gresham
, Butler and Jack Billings
could cause all sorts of trouble through the midfield and forward line.
This is the year that Seb Ross could stamp his authority on the game.
And King, just 20, has the potential to do some serious damage in the forward 50 … if he stays off the golf course.
It is also a year that could define Jake Carlisle, who is capable of so many things.
I feel St Kilda will do very well against the minor sides, but the true test will be against the more credentialed teams.
The new rules may allow for more run and carry and to a degree more speed, which will suit the Saints on a downhill snowfield.
But you can’t and won’t get away with one-way traffic against the big four.
Ratten as a former midfielder and, as a coach for seven and a bit of years, understands this perfectly well.
His job is to get the team’s balance right and the Saints will be fine.
Mick Malthouse says it’s time St Kilda stop dwelling on its near-misses of the past if the club wants to end its 55-year premiership drought. Here’s his Saints blueprint.
St Kilda has been a hard luck story since 1966 when it won its first and only flag.
Victorian teams have won 13 of the last 21 AFL premierships.
Since 2000 St Kilda has been in the finals eight times without a flag, compared to Geelong with 16 finals’ campaigns and three premierships, Hawthorn 12 finals series and four flags, Richmond eight and three cups, and Collingwood 13 and one premiership.
Of the Victorian teams only Carlton and Melbourne have fared worse.
If not for Paul Chapman
PLAYERCARDSTART
Paul Chapman
- Age
- 42
- Ht
- 179cm
- Wt
- 87kg
- Pos.
- Fwd
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 19.7
- 5star
- K
- 12.8
- 5star
- HB
- 6.9
- 4star
- M
- 4.7
- 4star
- T
- 3.5
- 5star
- G
- 1.3
- 5star
No current season stats available
- D
- 6.6
- 2star
- K
- 4.0
- 2star
- HB
- 2.6
- 3star
- M
- 1.0
- 1star
- T
- 1.8
- 4star
- G
- 0.2
- 3star
PLAYERCARDEND
PLAYERCARDSTART
Stephen Milne
- Age
- 44
- Ht
- 176cm
- Wt
- 83kg
- Pos.
- Fwd
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 11.9
- 3star
- K
- 9.1
- 4star
- HB
- 2.8
- 2star
- M
- 3.6
- 4star
- T
- 1.7
- 4star
- G
- 2.1
- 5star
No current season stats available
- D
- 12.4
- 4star
- K
- 10.6
- 4star
- HB
- 1.8
- 2star
- M
- 3.6
- 4star
- T
- 0.8
- 3star
- G
- 1.4
- 5star
PLAYERCARDEND
In the past two decades St Kilda has had seven coaches.
It’s been captained by the likes of one of the game’s all-time greats in Nick Riewoldt, and had inspirational leaders in Robert Harvey, Lenny Hayes
PLAYERCARDSTART
Lenny Hayes
- Age
- 44
- Ht
- 186cm
- Wt
- 85kg
- Pos.
- Mid
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 22.5
- 5star
- K
- 11.5
- 4star
- HB
- 11.0
- 5star
- M
- 3.7
- 4star
- T
- 5.0
- 5star
- CL
- 5.2
- 5star
No current season stats available
- D
- 9.2
- 3star
- K
- 5.0
- 2star
- HB
- 4.2
- 4star
- M
- 1.6
- 2star
- T
- 0.4
- 3star
PLAYERCARDEND
PLAYERCARDSTART
Aaron Hamill
- Age
- 46
- Ht
- 184cm
- Wt
- 95kg
- Pos.
- Fwd
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 14.1
- 4star
- K
- 8.5
- 3star
- HB
- 5.5
- 4star
- M
- 4.5
- 4star
- T
- 2.8
- 4star
- G
- 1.3
- 5star
No current season stats available
- D
- 11.4
- 3star
- K
- 7.2
- 3star
- HB
- 4.2
- 4star
- M
- 3.2
- 4star
- T
- 2.0
- 4star
- G
- 0.4
- 3star
PLAYERCARDEND
PLAYERCARDSTART
Sam Fisher
- Age
- 41
- Ht
- 191cm
- Wt
- 94kg
- Pos.
- Def
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 19.3
- 5star
- K
- 12.3
- 5star
- HB
- 7.0
- 4star
- M
- 7.0
- 5star
- T
- 1.6
- 4star
- MG
- 220.2
- 3star
No current season stats available
- D
- 9.0
- 3star
- K
- 6.6
- 3star
- HB
- 2.4
- 3star
- M
- 2.8
- 3star
- T
- 1.2
- 3star
PLAYERCARDEND
PLAYERCARDSTART
Leigh Montagna
- Age
- 40
- Ht
- 178cm
- Wt
- 76kg
- Pos.
- Def
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 23.9
- 5star
- K
- 14.8
- 5star
- HB
- 9.0
- 5star
- M
- 4.7
- 4star
- T
- 4.0
- 5star
- MG
- 482.3
- 5star
No current season stats available
- D
- 5.0
- 1star
- K
- 3.8
- 2star
- HB
- 1.2
- 2star
- M
- 2.4
- 3star
- T
- 1.4
- 4star
PLAYERCARDEND
PLAYERCARDSTART
Nick Dal Santo
- Age
- 40
- Ht
- 185cm
- Wt
- 85kg
- Pos.
- Mid
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 22.9
- 5star
- K
- 13.0
- 5star
- HB
- 9.9
- 5star
- M
- 3.7
- 4star
- T
- 3.6
- 5star
- CL
- 4.0
- 5star
No current season stats available
- D
- 13.2
- 4star
- K
- 6.8
- 3star
- HB
- 6.4
- 4star
- M
- 3.0
- 3star
- T
- 2.2
- 4star
PLAYERCARDEND
But just like Carlton where the excuses have run out, this is a make-or-break year for the Saints.
Brett Ratten
PLAYERCARDSTART
Brett Ratten
- Age
- 52
- Ht
- 184cm
- Wt
- 88kg
- Pos.
- Mid
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 22.4
- 5star
- K
- 12.1
- 4star
- HB
- 10.3
- 5star
- M
- 2.9
- 3star
- T
- 3.0
- 5star
No current season stats available
- D
- 26.4
- 5star
- K
- 13.8
- 5star
- HB
- 12.6
- 5star
- M
- 3.4
- 4star
- T
- 1.6
- 4star
PLAYERCARDEND
The Saints need to acknowledge last year when they were beaten by the Tigers in the semi-final and get better.
Melbourne was wonderful in 2018, finishing fourth before West Coast stopped the Demons in their tracks in a preliminary final.
The Demons didn’t make the finals in the next season, finishing 17th.
St Kilda of old has had a tendency to look back, but this is a chance to look forward, at what it can achieve if it builds on last season’s result instead of dwelling on it.
The Saints will start the year with many players missing from their “best” side.
What appeared to be a wonderful ruck duo has dissolved before Ratten’s eyes.
When Rowan Marshall
PLAYERCARDSTART
19
Rowan Marshall
- Age
- 28
- Ht
- 201cm
- Wt
- 105kg
- Pos.
- Ruck
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 15.4
- 4star
- K
- 8.8
- 3star
- HB
- 6.6
- 4star
- CL
- 3.4
- 5star
- HO
- 20.2
- 5star
- D
- 12.9
- 3star
- K
- 9.3
- 4star
- HB
- 3.6
- 2star
- CL
- 2.8
- 4star
- HO
- 17.8
- 5star
- D
- 10.6
- 3star
- K
- 5.8
- 3star
- HB
- 4.8
- 4star
- CL
- 1.0
- 3star
- HO
- 7.8
- 5star
PLAYERCARDEND
Jarryn Geary
PLAYERCARDSTART
14
Jarryn Geary
- Age
- 35
- Ht
- 183cm
- Wt
- 82kg
- Pos.
- Mid
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 16.6
- 4star
- K
- 8.8
- 3star
- HB
- 7.8
- 5star
- M
- 3.9
- 4star
- T
- 2.6
- 4star
- CL
- 0.7
- 3star
- D
- 8.8
- 2star
- K
- 3.6
- 1star
- HB
- 5.2
- 3star
- M
- 1.2
- 1star
- T
- 1.8
- 3star
- CL
- 0.8
- 3star
- D
- 15.4
- 4star
- K
- 7.4
- 3star
- HB
- 8.0
- 5star
- M
- 5.0
- 5star
- T
- 1.6
- 4star
PLAYERCARDEND
Max King
PLAYERCARDSTART
12
Max King
- Age
- 23
- Ht
- 202cm
- Wt
- 100kg
- Pos.
- Fwd
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 7.3
- 2star
- K
- 4.7
- 2star
- HB
- 2.6
- 2star
- M
- 2.7
- 3star
- T
- 0.7
- 3star
- G
- 1.4
- 5star
- D
- 7.3
- 2star
- K
- 4.7
- 2star
- HB
- 2.6
- 2star
- M
- 2.7
- 3star
- T
- 0.7
- 1star
- G
- 1.4
- 5star
- D
- 8.0
- 2star
- K
- 5.2
- 2star
- HB
- 2.8
- 3star
- M
- 2.8
- 3star
- T
- 0.6
- 3star
- G
- 1.4
- 5star
PLAYERCARDEND
Since when do you play practice matches at fullbore where a Ben Paton broken leg is the result of a tackle by an assistant coach?
St Kilda has to take more responsibility on and off the ground.
It’s made some interesting trades in the last couple of seasons … interesting because not a lot have passed the test.
Dan Butler has been good but patchy.
Bradley Hill went missing when the heat was applied last year.
Dougal Howard
PLAYERCARDSTART
20
Dougal Howard
- Age
- 28
- Ht
- 199cm
- Wt
- 94kg
- Pos.
- Def
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 10.9
- 3star
- K
- 7.8
- 3star
- HB
- 3.1
- 3star
- M
- 4.4
- 4star
- T
- 1.4
- 3star
- MG
- 176.2
- 3star
- D
- 9.9
- 3star
- K
- 8.4
- 3star
- HB
- 1.4
- 1star
- M
- 4.7
- 4star
- T
- 0.6
- 1star
- MG
- 171.9
- 3star
- D
- 9.0
- 3star
- K
- 5.4
- 2star
- HB
- 3.6
- 3star
- M
- 2.8
- 3star
- T
- 2.8
- 5star
- MG
- 133.8
- 3star
PLAYERCARDEND
PLAYERCARDSTART
3
Zak Jones
- Age
- 29
- Ht
- 182cm
- Wt
- 84kg
- Pos.
- Mid
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 17.8
- 4star
- K
- 10.0
- 4star
- HB
- 7.8
- 5star
- M
- 3.4
- 3star
- T
- 3.0
- 5star
- CL
- 1.7
- 4star
- D
- 19.1
- 4star
- K
- 10.6
- 4star
- HB
- 8.6
- 4star
- M
- 3.4
- 3star
- T
- 3.1
- 4star
- CL
- 4.9
- 5star
- D
- 7.0
- 2star
- K
- 2.8
- 1star
- HB
- 4.2
- 4star
- M
- 1.0
- 1star
- T
- 1.6
- 4star
- CL
- 1.0
- 3star
PLAYERCARDEND
Paddy Ryder OK.
Dan Hannebery came with injuries from Sydney, got injured again, and still has injury issues.
If the Saints can pull it together Ratten will have a wonderful team at his disposal.
The early indication is that they will be an attacking side, but with the addition of multiple-
possession getter Brad Crouch
PLAYERCARDSTART
5
Brad Crouch
- Age
- 30
- Ht
- 186cm
- Wt
- 86kg
- Pos.
- Mid
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 26.1
- 5star
- K
- 12.1
- 4star
- HB
- 14.0
- 5star
- M
- 2.7
- 3star
- T
- 5.5
- 5star
- CL
- 5.0
- 5star
- D
- 20.3
- 5star
- K
- 11.1
- 4star
- HB
- 9.1
- 5star
- M
- 1.5
- 2star
- T
- 3.9
- 5star
- CL
- 4.6
- 5star
- D
- 21.6
- 5star
- K
- 10.0
- 4star
- HB
- 11.6
- 5star
- M
- 3.4
- 4star
- T
- 4.2
- 5star
- CL
- 2.6
- 5star
PLAYERCARDEND
Jack Steele
PLAYERCARDSTART
9
Jack Steele
- Age
- 28
- Ht
- 187cm
- Wt
- 90kg
- Pos.
- Mid
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 20.9
- 5star
- K
- 8.7
- 3star
- HB
- 12.2
- 5star
- M
- 3.7
- 4star
- T
- 6.8
- 5star
- CL
- 3.6
- 5star
- D
- 21.3
- 5star
- K
- 10.0
- 4star
- HB
- 11.3
- 5star
- M
- 4.0
- 4star
- T
- 5.8
- 5star
- CL
- 4.6
- 5star
- D
- 16.8
- 4star
- K
- 5.0
- 2star
- HB
- 11.8
- 5star
- M
- 2.6
- 3star
- T
- 6.4
- 5star
- CL
- 3.6
- 5star
PLAYERCARDEND
But I do love the way Ben Long
PLAYERCARDSTART
22
Ben Long
- Age
- 26
- Ht
- 186cm
- Wt
- 81kg
- Pos.
- Def
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 10.9
- 3star
- K
- 6.2
- 2star
- HB
- 4.7
- 3star
- M
- 3.3
- 3star
- T
- 2.7
- 4star
- MG
- 166.8
- 3star
- D
- 12.8
- 3star
- K
- 6.7
- 3star
- HB
- 6.2
- 4star
- M
- 3.3
- 3star
- T
- 2.3
- 3star
- MG
- 129.0
- 2star
- D
- 13.4
- 4star
- K
- 6.8
- 3star
- HB
- 6.6
- 4star
- M
- 3.2
- 4star
- T
- 3.2
- 5star
- MG
- 223.0
- 4star
PLAYERCARDEND
PLAYERCARDSTART
11
Hunter Clark
- Age
- 25
- Ht
- 186cm
- Wt
- 83kg
- Pos.
- Mid
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 17.5
- 4star
- K
- 9.5
- 4star
- HB
- 8.0
- 5star
- M
- 3.6
- 4star
- T
- 2.9
- 4star
- CL
- 1.3
- 3star
- D
- 16.0
- 4star
- K
- 9.6
- 4star
- HB
- 6.4
- 4star
- M
- 3.1
- 3star
- T
- 2.9
- 4star
- CL
- 1.9
- 4star
- D
- 13.2
- 4star
- K
- 6.6
- 3star
- HB
- 6.6
- 4star
- M
- 2.2
- 3star
- T
- 2.0
- 4star
- CL
- 0.0
- 1star
PLAYERCARDEND
Jade Gresham
PLAYERCARDSTART
11
Jade Gresham
- Age
- 26
- Ht
- 177cm
- Wt
- 81kg
- Pos.
- Fwd
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 17.4
- 4star
- K
- 10.2
- 4star
- HB
- 7.2
- 4star
- M
- 3.2
- 3star
- T
- 2.7
- 4star
- G
- 1.1
- 4star
- D
- 17.5
- 4star
- K
- 10.8
- 4star
- HB
- 6.8
- 4star
- M
- 2.1
- 2star
- T
- 2.0
- 3star
- G
- 0.5
- 4star
- D
- 11.8
- 3star
- K
- 6.0
- 3star
- HB
- 5.8
- 4star
- M
- 2.6
- 3star
- T
- 3.4
- 5star
- G
- 0.4
- 3star
PLAYERCARDEND
PLAYERCARDSTART
14
Jack Billings
- Age
- 28
- Ht
- 185cm
- Wt
- 81kg
- Pos.
- M/F
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 21.3
- 5star
- K
- 11.5
- 4star
- HB
- 9.8
- 5star
- M
- 5.1
- 5star
- T
- 2.9
- 4star
- CL
- 1.3
- 3star
- D
- 19.7
- 5star
- K
- 11.7
- 5star
- HB
- 8.0
- 4star
- M
- 4.7
- 4star
- T
- 2.9
- 4star
- CL
- 2.3
- 4star
- D
- 13.8
- 4star
- K
- 9.2
- 4star
- HB
- 4.6
- 4star
- M
- 5.2
- 5star
- T
- 1.6
- 4star
- CL
- 0.0
- 1star
PLAYERCARDEND
This is the year that Seb Ross could stamp his authority on the game.
And King, just 20, has the potential to do some serious damage in the forward 50 … if he stays off the golf course.
It is also a year that could define Jake Carlisle, who is capable of so many things.
I feel St Kilda will do very well against the minor sides, but the true test will be against the more credentialed teams.
The new rules may allow for more run and carry and to a degree more speed, which will suit the Saints on a downhill snowfield.
But you can’t and won’t get away with one-way traffic against the big four.
Ratten as a former midfielder and, as a coach for seven and a bit of years, understands this perfectly well.
His job is to get the team’s balance right and the Saints will be fine.