Destination Moorabbin? The St Kilda Saints are not holding back in their quest to reshape their roster. With a spending spree that has seen them linked to nearly every trade and free agency target, the Saints are making waves in the AFL community. But is this aggressive strategy coming at the right time, or are they risking a repeat of past mistakes?
Under the leadership of Ross Lyon, St Kilda has already secured free agents Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni, with Leek Aleer and Liam Ryan expected to follow. Sam Flanders, among others, could also join the ranks. This marks a significant shift for a club that has often missed out on high-profile acquisitions. However, none of these players are considered A-grade stars, raising questions about the long-term impact of these moves.
Lessons from the Past
The Saints’ current strategy echoes past attempts by middle-tier clubs to bolster their rosters with multiple B-grade players in a single off-season. Historically, such moves have often led to disappointment rather than success. In 2019, St Kilda brought in players like Dan Butler and Brad Hill, but the results were underwhelming, with the team winning just one final.
Similarly, Essendon’s acquisition of Adam Saad, Devon Smith, and Jake Stringer in 2017 did not yield the desired results. Fremantle’s 2018 additions of Travis Colyer and Jesse Hogan also failed to prevent the departure of coach Ross Lyon the following year. These cautionary tales highlight the risks of aggressive trading without a solid foundation.
Strategic Shifts and Comparisons
While the Saints’ strategy is bold, it is not without precedent. Clubs like Collingwood have successfully used strategic acquisitions to propel themselves to premiership glory. Ahead of their 2023 premiership season, Collingwood added players such as Bobby Hill and Tom Mitchell, complementing an already strong core.
However, the Saints are starting from a different position, having not reached the same level of contention. More fitting comparisons might be Hawthorn’s 2023 moves to kickstart a new era under Sam Mitchell or Adelaide’s recent rise to the 2025 minor premiership through targeted acquisitions.
Expert Insights and Future Implications
According to Saints great Leigh Montagna, the key to St Kilda’s success lies in the readiness of their young core and the suitability of their new recruits. “Only time will tell if it works at St Kilda. No doubt when they tried it a few years ago, it didn’t work,” Montagna told foxfooty.com.au. He emphasized the importance of complementing new acquisitions with a strong foundation of young talent.
“The salary cap is like a jigsaw puzzle, some pieces are bigger than others. It’s all about how you make the jigsaw puzzle fit,” Montagna explained, highlighting the complexity of roster management.
Montagna also pointed out the necessity of taking risks to remain competitive, particularly in a league where natural improvement alone may not be enough to leapfrog other teams. The Saints’ aggressive approach could also help them attract more high-profile players in the future, as seen with clubs like Brisbane and Gold Coast.
Balancing Risks and Rewards
The Saints’ $22 million investment in new talent is a gamble that could either propel them towards contention or leave them in AFL purgatory. The key challenges include ensuring the new recruits fit seamlessly into the team and managing potential salary cap tensions among existing players.
Rowan Marshall and Marcus Windhager are among those considering their futures, with other clubs expressing interest in players like Callum Wilkie. However, Montagna believes that a well-managed salary cap can accommodate such challenges, stating, “If they get to a situation where their salary cap is bursting at the seams because all of a sudden they have too much talent, that’s a good problem to have.”
Ultimately, the Saints’ strategy is about more than immediate success. It’s about signaling their intent to compete at the highest level and creating a culture that attracts top talent. As Montagna noted, “There’s no point having money sitting in the bank or paying players overs that don’t deserve it and sitting in the bottom half of the ladder.”
As the Saints embark on this bold new chapter, the AFL community will be watching closely to see if their gamble pays off. Will they emerge as serious contenders, or will history repeat itself? Only time will tell.
