Review 2025 - Year in Review

[Mat Mann]

The season is done
What a year to summarize!

Some of our best games were losses and some of our worst were wins.
Senior players, Injuries, green shoots, NASIAH, Injuries, Hall, inconsistency.

Best win: Geelong r2 /Freo r8
Worst Loss: WC easily, Both Bulldogs games (71 & 72 points)
Best game: Freo r16 / Sydney r18
Best highlights: Nasiah resigning, the kids stepping up in moments throughout the year, topped off by Wilson's 23d/5g game
Worst lowlights: Pou and King injuries, again the WC loss

AVG home attendance: 29776 (7000 below AFL Avg)
Membership tally: 64,314 - new club record, 4k up on previous year
What are your thoughts?

Spoiler: 2025 game by game Results

Adelaide	7.2 10.4 17.7 21.9​	135​	Att: 42,985 Venue: Adelaide Oval
St Kilda	2.2 4.3 7.7 10.12​	72​	Adelaide won by 63 pts [Match stats]

St Kilda	6.1 10.5 14.6 15.8​	98​	Att: 36,663 Venue: Docklands
Geelong	1.4 5.6 9.9 13.13​	91​	St Kilda won by 7 pts [Match stats]

St Kilda	3.3 6.6 12.11 20.15​	135​	Att: 41,147 Venue: Docklands
Richmond	1.3 5.4 6.7 7.11​	53​	St Kilda won by 82 pts [Match stats]

Port Adelaide	2.4 5.7 8.10 10.12​	72​	Att: 34,201 Venue: Adelaide Oval
St Kilda	6.4 9.6 11.8 13.11​	89​	St Kilda won by 17 pts [Match stats]

St Kilda	4.1 5.4 8.7 12.10​	82​	Att: 9,235 Venue: Norwood Oval
Greater Western Sydney	4.3 8.6 16.9 16.14​	110​	Greater Western Sydney won by 28 pts [Match stats]

Western Bulldogs	3.5 8.8 13.13 18.19​	127​	Att: 35,511 Venue: Docklands
St Kilda	4.1 4.4 6.8 8.8​	56​	Western Bulldogs won by 71 pts [Match stats]

St Kilda	2.0 3.4 7.5 11.7​	73​	Att: 29,901 Venue: Docklands
Brisbane Lions	4.6 8.8 12.13 17.16​	118​	Brisbane Lions won by 45 pts [Match stats]

St Kilda	2.2 4.3 8.6 14.10​	94​	Att: 20,522 Venue: Docklands
Fremantle	1.0 1.1 2.3 5.3​	33​	St Kilda won by 61 pts [Match stats]

St Kilda	4.0 6.4 7.6 9.8​	62​	Att: 65,680 Venue: M.C.G.
Carlton	4.3 8.6 9.8 11.11​	77​	Carlton won by 15 pts [Match stats]

West Coast	4.2 7.5 10.10 16.12​	108​	Att: 42,860 Venue: Perth Stadium
St Kilda	2.2 4.4 6.6 12.8​	80​	West Coast won by 28 pts [Match stats]

St Kilda	1.2 4.4 5.10 8.13​	61​	Att: 13,486 Venue: Docklands
Gold Coast	4.2 9.3 9.5 12.8​	80​	Gold Coast won by 19 pts [Match stats]

Melbourne	2.2 6.9 7.13 7.21​	63​	Att: 6,721 Venue: Traeger Park
St Kilda	6.2 9.4 11.6 14.7​	91​	St Kilda won by 28 pts [Match stats]

St Kilda	1.4 5.6 7.9 8.12​	60​	Att: 20,508 Venue: Docklands
Western Bulldogs	4.2 10.4 16.9 20.12​	132​	Western Bulldogs won by 72 pts [Match stats]

Collingwood	5.1 8.5 12.9 16.12​	108​	Att: 43,039 Venue: Docklands
St Kilda	3.1 6.5 9.6 11.8​	74​	Collingwood won by 34 pts [Match stats]

Fremantle	2.2 5.5 6.10 11.15​	81​	Att: 41,600 Venue: Perth Stadium
St Kilda	1.5 4.8 7.12 9.15​	69​	Fremantle won by 12 pts [Match stats]

St Kilda	1.2 3.6 6.10 10.14​	74​	Att: 36,035 Venue: Docklands
Hawthorn	2.5 6.6 11.6 14.10​	94​	Hawthorn won by 20 pts [Match stats]

St Kilda	4.0 7.4 11.8 13.9​	87​	Att: 29,589 Venue: Docklands
Sydney	5.3 5.6 9.7 14.8​	92​	Sydney won by 5 pts [Match stats]

Geelong	6.0 10.2 15.8 17.11​	113​	Att: 29,985 Venue: Kardinia Park
St Kilda	2.2 7.5 9.7 12.10​	82​	Geelong won by 31 pts [Match stats]

St Kilda	2.1 4.4 6.4 15.6​	96​	Att: 22,570 Venue: Docklands
Melbourne	6.2 9.4 13.8 13.12​	90​	St Kilda won by 6 pts [Match stats]

St Kilda	1.2 4.6 10.11 11.12​	78​	Att: 31,978 Venue: Docklands
North Melbourne	3.4 4.5 7.6 10.9​	69​	St Kilda won by 9 pts [Match stats]

Richmond	1.0 4.5 6.8 7.10​	52​	Att: 41,395 Venue: M.C.G.
St Kilda	3.2 5.3 5.6 8.8​	56​	St Kilda won by 4 pts [Match stats]

Essendon	3.2 5.6 8.7 11.9​	75​	Att: 31,107 Venue: Docklands
St Kilda	1.3 5.5 9.7 11.11​	77​	St Kilda won by 2 pts [Match stats]

Greater Western Sydney	4.3 6.6 10.7 15.14​	104	Att: 10,526 Venue: Sydney Showground
St Kilda	2.5 6.7 10.8 14.9​	93	Greater Western Sydney won by 11 pts

 

[Riewoldt]

Melbourne R21 pretty stiff not to make it into the best game / best highlights!

 

[Windtagger]

How do we rate the coaches performances for this year?

Positives:

• development of NAS and movement into the midfield
• numerous youngsters taking the next steps and a number of debuts
• Clark to half-back looks good
• improved midfield performance from last year
• maintained a positive and inclusive culture

Negatives:

• forward line still not working, no idea what’s going on there
• midfield to forward connection still not where it needs to be
• defensively also not as strong
• played it safe/boring a lot
• still lots of skill errors

What else?

 

[Mat Mann]

Melbourne R21 pretty stiff not to make it into the best game / best highlights!

true, but we were 47 points down at 3/4 time after only kicking 6 goals, A highlight for sure and an error on my part.

Was that your best game for the year?

 

[CaptainRisky]

Melbourne R21 pretty stiff not to make it into the best game / best highlights!

I think the 3 quarters of Rubbish outweighed the one good quarter

 

[Wintle]

Melbourne R21 pretty stiff not to make it into the best game / best highlights!

Yeah, the Melbourne game (last quarter) was the highlight of the year.

 

[Riewoldt]

true, but we were 47 points down at 3/4 time after only kicking 6 goals, A highlight for sure and an error on my part.

Was that your best game for the year?

I think the 3 quarters of Rubbish outweighed the one good quarter

True, the first 3 quarters were absolutely terrible, but I think its the only game this year that we'll look back and remember in 5+ years. For that reason, I think it was my best for the year (or at least best moment).

 

[SG34]

I think the 3 quarters of Rubbish outweighed the one good quarter

The last quarter was staggeringly good and exciting. Surely that outweighs the rest of the game.

I asked myself this morning, how was the vibe at the end of last year, and the one before that?

It seems similar to last year. Good start, More than a glimmer of hope ant the end, but gutted like a fish in a terrible hollowed out season.

Even Wilson’s cameo yesterday sums it up. Five goals In a game after five months of disappointment.

Hunter Clark has gone from promising champ, to solid B+, to fringe D grader and then back up to C+ as a back flanker over the past 36 months.

So we are sobered by a pretty lousy year, let’s face it.

Max King coming back strong next year? (We have to believe it-but do we ? Yes, we do, please) Hall & The Box. Garcia? Windy tenacious (sign please)
NAS of course.

I think the late wins were great for building a winning culture even though it looked like we were beating up on the weaklings and almost going down in the process.

I don’t think our game plan differs much to other teams. Does it really? We chip around along the line behind wing to cross sides (and back) but I think I’ve seen all teams doing it.

The big ins next year - the GWS big interceptor and TDK will help.

 

[Nutsngum]

True, the first 3 quarters were absolutely terrible, but I think its the only game this year that we'll look back and remember in 5+ years. For that reason, I think it was my best for the year (or at least best moment).

It was the one H&A game this year that was a) record breaking and b) had ALL the media talking about it for a solid week.

You dont get games like that happening every year and will go down as a "legendary" game like Miracle on Grass or round 14 2009.

No one is going to mention those 3 shit quarters again but they will remember Nas's last two minutes for a long long time and if theres a top ten moments of the year video made I dont see much else beating it.

The flag will always be the ultimate goal but enjoying these moments is also incredibly important.

 

[CaptainRisky]

The last quarter was staggeringly good and exciting. Surely that outweighs the rest of the game.

I asked myself this morning, how was the vibe at the end of last year, and the one before that?

It seems similar to last year. Good start, More than a glimmer of hope ant the end, but gutted like a fish in a terrible hollowed out season.

Even Wilson’s cameo yesterday sums it up. Five goals In a game after five months of disappointment.

Hunter Clark has gone from promising champ, to solid B+, to fringe D grader and then back up to C+ as a back flanker over the past 36 months.

So we are sobered by a pretty lousy year, let’s face it.

Max King coming back strong next year? (We have to believe it-but do we ? Yes, we do, please) Hall & The Box. Garcia? Windy tenacious (sign please)
NAS of course.

I think the late wins were great for building a winning culture even though it looked like we were beating up on the weaklings and almost going down in the process.

I don’t think our game plan differs much to other teams. Does it really? We chip around along the line behind wing to cross sides (and back) but I think I’ve seen all teams doing it.

The big ins next year - the GWS big interceptor and TDK will help.

Melbourne FC

 

[TheNewEnsign]

I know it's a review thread but looking ahead - the following will be 23 years or younger as at R1:

Locks for the 22 + 1: Hall, Nas, Windy, Owens, Hammer, Pou, Garcia, Box, Wilson, Tobes, Tauru

Possible: LoC, Keeler.

Can't wait for next year.

 

[Ricmel]

A pretty ordinary year saved by the Melbourne game, a late winning streak against fellow bottom dwellers and NAS signing (if that hadn't happened we'd all be reviewing the season as the year that just about broke St Kilda).

Coaching has been ordinary and I think RTB and his team really need to think how they want to play next year, commit to it and train for it. Hopefully it is more attack focussed than the scrappy stuff we saw for a lot of the year.

Despite all that there is probably more reason for new season optimism this year than previous 15 years. Not that this forum is not very good indeed at new season optimism but this time there might actually be some solid logic underpinning it. We unearthed our first marquee player since St Nick. We also saw some good stuff from most of the youngsters on and off, enough to have some confidence that Wilson, Box, Hall, Garcia, Tauru and Travaglia are probably going to be good to very good footballers.

We went through the season with really a makeshift forward line in the absence of King and for the most part the team was reasonably competitive.

Probably won't be able to really know what this season was until we see what develops in 2026/27.

 

[jumperfan]

Positives:

• Nas breaking out
• Nas re-signing
• Drafting of the past two years looks very good thus far, in particular Boxshall, Hall, Tauru and Garcia
• Caminiti held down a very difficult defensive role for the whole year and didn't look out of place.
• I think Windy really stepped up this year, particularly towards the back half of the season. Absolute must-keep.
• Round 19 - what more needs to be said?

Negatives

• Still lots of very obvious gaps on our list, particularly our lack of height across the board and our one-dimensional midfield. Losing Battle and Howard completely wrecked our biggest strength.
• King and Pou missing the entire year through injury.
• Henry never really got going.
• Still not sure that Collard makes it at AFL level
• Uncertainty over Jack Steele
  9

  Jack Steele

  Age

  29

  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

  's position in the team
• Went missing through the middle part of the year again - I know we had a hard fixture but there were too many games where we simply were not competitive enough and it just kills any momentum we get from our usual few good wins at the start of the year.

Strange year overall. It felt like a lot of us were pretty much completely fed up with both the club and the wider AFL for much of the season but getting Nas' signature does give some light at the end of the tunnel. The next two years are crucial and I do worry what impact our lack of talent in the 24-28 age bracket is going to have once our old blokes start to drop off.

 

[Ads734]

Horrible year overall. The middle of the year was as bad as I can remember akin to 2014. Not having Pou and King was truly devastating. However, somehow there were many positives.

1. Naz breaking out into superstardom. Haven’t had a player at the level since Roo.

2. Keeping above player.

3. Improvement in the following

• Windy to consistant ball winning grunt mid.
• Garcia improved his decision making 10 fold. Loves his hands in tight. Can’t wait to see him racking up 30 each week.
• Max Hall becoming a top 10 player overnight. He is just someone who screams (going to be massive in a final)

- Boxman - showed as much as any of the line draftees across the league imo.

- Viking, his base is so high.

- Trav getting games.

• darc’s last game
• Dodson vfl form
• keels and Lance getting themselves to the minimum level

Camaniti playing as many games and developing next to Wilkie

 

[Pakenhamsaint]

Could have been a better year. Could have been a hell of a lot worse.

 

[Stan_Darsh72]

Positives

• NWM becoming a top 10 player in the AFL
• Garcia, Boxshall, Hall, Caminiti, Tarau got games put into them, Tobie got some games, Keeler could be anything
• Sinclair and Wilkie were their usual selves.
• Windhager took his game up to another level
• Wilson having the maturity to spend time in the ressives to work on his game
• Getting a stand alone VFL side
• The comeback vs Melbourne
• The complete performance vs Freo and Richmond game 1
• I feel the culture of the club is in a better and more professional space.
• Wood, Hill, Wilkie, Sinclair, Marshall, Steele, Macrae being wonderful for the clubs culture

Negatives

• No finals
• Got spanked in the middle of the year and had 2 shockers vs the doggies
• Played some rather shit footy against crap sides
• Pou and King having injuries
• Wilson having the 2nd year blues
• Howard being out
• Losing to west coast
• The official stamp that our drafting outside of the rookie picks in the 2010s really screwed the club over

There have been false dawns like 2016/17, 2020, 2023, but this group feels a lot more promising. I know some of us as pessimistic and don't trust (which is a valid point of view, no need attack those posters and vice versa). The Club has a bit more edge about it and the playing list want to work, want to have the effort and

Keep Windhager and Marshall, get TDK in, nail the draft picks.

2026 Why not us.

 

[SaintSteele9]

Geelong R2 was a nice polar opposite to Melbourne R21.

I thought the Carlton loss was a soul-sucker this year. We were a bit up and down but the balloon popped for me that night for some strange reason.

We have the makings of an actual side now, though. Exciting youth who are actually putting some runs on the board, not just exciting based off the fact we picked them lol

 

[True Believer]

If nothing else, the growing cohort of youth that are obviously on track to end up as AFL players - be that as solid soldiers, or in some cases significantly more, should be reason for optimism. We've had false dawns where we looked for signs in players, and grasped because our souls needed the nourishment.

But there are a number of kids that ARE going to be good AFL players for us, and that number seems to be growing, and that is the best scenario we've had since 2012.

 

[Saintbloke]

Like an old school report I had .."could have done better" Pretty disappointing season IMO. Like any long-term Saint supporter I just resign myself to "there's always next year"

 

[Saints TV]

Sainters hope you dont mind me posting this here.

We want to rank the top 10 best moments of the 2025 AFL season (we know what no.1 will be though... ).

Send in your moments in this points format 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 to stkildatop10@gmail.com. 5 being your best moment.

We'll collate all your votes and put together the top 10 in the coming weeks.

 

[malevu]

Not a review but some random thoughts.

RTB 2.0 has become more a General Manager than a coach in the typical mould. He regularly defers to his assistant coaches and while he remains an acute strategist I think he relies on those around him to formulate the game plan. Something akin to Grant Thomas who was more a club figurehead than a match day coach. Ross clearly demands contest, defensive pressure and favors fast ball movement but I suspect the nitty gritty of our game structure comes from the others around him.

We suffered greatly from not having our two bookends all year, King and Howard. Dougal may have his detractors but there's no doubt he works in well with Wilkie. They always seem to have one another's back. After Battles defection, Howard's injuries were important.

Likewise Phillipou. Most of us had him penciled in as a breakout midfielder and we barely saw him. Let's hope he's not another chronic issue concern. We've had enough of those eg. Freeman, McCartin, Hanners, Clark, King to name a few.

It's ironic that after pleading for mids for years we finally let Nas off the leash and discover he's top 5 in the comp. Let's hope we do the same with Chito next year. On that score we simply need mids and then more mids. Stating the obvious it's clearly a midfielders game. You only have to look at the Lions, Geelong, Pies and Swans to see where their focus is and why they are always in contention. On that score it's why I still think the Lions are the team to beat. When they are on, their midfield of Neale, McCluggage, Dunkley, Ashcroft x2, Rayner etc is unstoppable. We can only dream of something like that.

Finally my three highlights of the year -

1- Melbourne last qtr

2 - Nas signing

3 - Beating Geelong. Any year we beat them is a good one. (Don't care who wins the flag as long as it's not the Cats. Yep even the Pies

 

[The Punter]

I think the 3 quarters of Rubbish outweighed the one good quarter

Not on the scoreboard

 

[CaptainRisky]

Not on the scoreboard

Put mayo on it anyway you want , we were rubbish for three quarters .

 

[The Punter]

Put mayo on it anyway you want , we were rubbish for three quarters .

That rubbish was literally, objectively outweighed by the last quarter through the indisputable fact that we outscored them by more in the last quarter than they did in the first three quarters combined.

And mayonnaise is fantastic.

 

[CaptainRisky]

That rubbish was literally, objectively outweighed by the last quarter through the indisputable fact that we outscored them by more in the last quarter than they did in the first three quarters combined.

And mayonnaise is fantastic.

It was Melbourne for Gods sake , they were a rabble , The next three against the worst teams in the league we fell over the line . Anywho