9 reasons why St Kilda fans should be positive heading into 2025

[Sanctorum]

Following article on SEN by Isabella Bianchi:

"Despite having made an elimination final and finishing sixth in 2023, St Kilda ended in 12th this season winning only eleven games.

Next year will mark 59 years since St Kilda’s only premiership in 1966, making it difficult for the Moorabbin faithful to remain optimistic for success. But Cam Luke has provided nine reasons for St Kilda fans to stick by the red, white and black in 2025.

1. They own the draft

They have pick seven and eight. It’s an incredibly strong draft,” Cam Luke told AFL Trade Radio

The conversations with St Kilda are more prevalent around draft pick swapping than any other club.

Seven and eight is a huge handful and they can trade up or trade down.

They even have the option to hold onto it themselves.

2. Young developing list

They have a list that is going in the right direction.

Phillipou is 19 years old, Windhager’s 21, Wanganeen-Milera’s 21, Owens is 21, Wilson’s 19, Schoenmaker’s 19, Caminiti is 20 plus pick seven and eight.

They have a list that are all going to grow together. They are all under 21 years of age, and they take the game on.

St Kilda are in a perfect situation for Tasmania to come in. These players will be in the prime age of their life.

3. Football management

They keep swinging.

Allan and Silvagni have been around for a long time and have been very successful in different aspects of the game.

The fact they took a swing at the Essendon captain a few weeks ago, suggests they have cap space.

The way they changed their salary cap in the last few years means they are going to get someone soon.

They will swing. We know they swung at Davies-Uniacke, they swung at Zach Merrett.

In the past, it might have been hard to sell them as a destination club, but I think they will get someone soon.

I think in 12 months they will pop up as a destination club. They have cash to play with which makes it easier too.

4. Max King

I am backing this kid to get his shoulders and body right and give us 65 goals a year soon.

He kicked 52 goals in his third year, but injuries have consistently slowed him down.

If you're St Kilda, you’re not sitting there hoping he gets fit, you’re thinking he will get fit.

It is time for Max King to stand up and deliver.

5. Ross Lyon

I am a Ross Lyon guy.

I like Ross Lyon. I think he took St Kilda and Fremantle right there into the guts of a premiership.

There is no doubt Ross Lyon has been flexible and adaptable.

He’s been able to adapt to the lists he’s got. His teams take the game on.

I think he is the right guy to lead this club forward.

6. RSEA Park

Being at Moorabbin with first-class facilities, the truth is it is a wonderful place to train and get better as a team.

Going to Seaford for those years hurt them, but being back in Moorabbin and their spiritual home with the facilities they have there also allows them to develop the players they’ve got.

It attracts and excites people.

7. Callum Wilkie

Wilkie has had a big couple of years including an All-Australian blazer last year.

He is an amazing player.

8. Inconsistencies are normal

At times they’re going to be great, but other times it’s a rollercoaster.

Someday they will all click, and they will be an avalanche.

9. Darcy Wilson and Wanganeen-Milera

Gut running is a huge thing in football today and Darcy Wilson is a gut runner.

He is an incredible runner. He was a photo finish in the Grand Final sprint.

Wanganeen-Milera is in the conversation about who the best young player for St Kilda is."

[Scollop]

Cam Luke has provided nine reasons for St Kilda fans to stick by the red, white and black in 2025

Never rated this guys opinion, but I think I like him now

https://7plus.com.au/armchair-experts

[Sanctorum]

He is certainly on the money when listing all of the top line talent St Kilda has drafted in the last three years.

When I looked at the finishing order for the 2024 Rising Star Award, I realised that all of the 3 who finished ahead of Darcy Wilson who was 4th, were in fact 2nd year players.

If you consider that of the players drafted last year Harley Reid at pick 1 was obviously the best - then Darcy Wilson, who St Kilda drafted at pick 18, was easily regarded as 2nd best!

Makes you realise that the Saints should definitely use their first 2 slots in November to pick up another two guns...if they are anything like the other years' recruits they should both make their debut and play multiple games in 2025.

[Sainter_Dad]

I am not sure we 'own' the draft - I think Richmond may very well have that honour by the end of trade.

[SAINT-LEE]

1. We are quintessential suckholes, and loving it.
2. Refer to 1
3. We all MUST be Christians because Jesus said in the Bible if you have the faith of a mustard seed you can say to this mountain, be thou removed. Every Saint regardless if they admit it, believe we WILL overcome every sh1t stain we've made in the previous season and somehow rise to win Granny 2.
4-8. Read 3 and have 8 beers
9. Saints Rule

[bobmurray]

We've had picks 7 and 8 before and picked 2 HBF's.

Let's see if we can stuff it up again in a midfielders draft.

[The Fireman]

good post...cue the negative nellies.

[TheGreatZacsby]

I’m pretty confident and excited going into 2025. This post suns it up. I hope we get two elite mids with 7 and 8. Get a developing ruck / tall defender with second round or a small defender. We will be okay.

[spert]

Positives for sure, but now it's up to the club to get back into the finals ASAP, as we have the talent if we can keep them all on the field for a season- we are still a couple of really good players away from flag contention though. Having been a Saint supporter for a very long time, I won't believe anything until it happens with this club, but there's no excuse for us not at least reaching the final eight in 2025. The ball is in Lyon's court.

[samuraisaint]

We must select two pure midfielders.
We haven't got this right for a long time. It has been mentioned enough during the season proper by our coach which clearly tells us that the cub are well and truly aware of this.
Even though we won the game, the final round against Carlton highlighted where our deficiencies lie. These can be addressed next month.

[The Fireman]

We must select two pure midfielders.
We haven't got this right for a long time. It has been mentioned enough during the season proper by our coach which clearly tells us that the cub are well and truly aware of this.
Even though we won the game, the final round against Carlton highlighted where our deficiencies lie. These can be addressed next month.

Yep so the club is aware of it…..