Young brigade can power Saints into the finals
STEP forward Jack Sinclair, Jack Billings, Seb Ross, Blake Acres, Luke Dunstan, Jade Gresham and Jack Lonie. Josh Bruce, too.
No pressure, but Alan Richardson is entrusting the future of the St Kilda footy club — both this year and the next five years — to you.
And Richardson thinks you are ready to turn the Saints into a genuine AFL force.
“We expect those guys now to have real influence. It’s time for them to really deliver,” he said.
“We think they’re made of the right stuff. They’ve cer- tainly got the talent. And they’ve got a terrific attitude.
“The theme for us in 2018 is our core, that large group of 21 to 25-year-olds coming through together.
“It’s been by design that we’ve gone that way and got as many games into them as possible. and it’s exciting us now.”
The emergence of that group looms as a key to St Kilda’s success under Richardson, now in the post-Nick Riewoldt era. Few individuals have dominated the culture at a club like the legendary forward did at the Saints for the past two decades.
His departure, along with star Leigh Montagna and flag-winner Sean Dempster, cer- tainly leaves a leadership gulf.
The players that Richardson is eyeing for improvement are all yet to have their 25th birthday, with between 40 and 100 games under the belts each.
Ross, last year’s best and fairest winner, has already arrived after establishing himself as the club’s best midfielder in 2017. Former Docker Dylan Roberton, one of a fourman leadership group, is thought of highly.
Billings and fellow goal sneak Gresham excite St Kilda fans inside the forward 50.
But there is plenty of unknown about the next-gen Saints as the club looks to return to the finals for the first time since 2011. Finals should have arrived in the past two seasons.
In 2016, they missed on percentage. Last year they blew it from 9-6. So there can be no question about the hunger at Moorabbin given how close they have come.
Richardson will tinker with his forward line in 2018, given available again top draft pick Paddy McCartin joins fellow talls Tim Membrey and Bruce in the selection mix.
The return to health of inside midfielder David Armitage is a welcome relief. Down back, Jake Carlisle and Nathan Brown will anchor the defence, with St Kilda well stocked for rebounding runners.
Early draft picks Hunter Clark and Oliver Coffield are expected to challenge for selection in the season’s opening month.
And the draw suits the Saints, too. They play their opening three matches at Etihad Stadium against Brisbane Lions and North Melbourne, giving them every chance to be 2-0 before flag fancies Adelaide visit to provide a test. Are they ready? “We think those guys can now have an influence on a consistent basis as opposed to playing some good footy and not being able to repeat that,” Richardson said. “That’s our challenge and we think they’re ready.”
ST KILDA
COACH: Alan Richardson CAPTAIN: Jarryn Geary PAST 5 YEARS: 16-18-14-9-11 PREMIERSHIPS: 1 (1966). KEY FIVE: Jake Carlisle, Seb Ross, Jack Billings, Jarryn Geary, Jack Steven. BEST LINE-UP: B: Jarryn Geary, Nathan Brown, Jimmy Webster HB: Shane Savage, Jake Carlisle, Dylan Roberton C: Jack Sinclair, Seb Ross, Jack Newnes HF: Jack Billings, Paddy McCartin, Blake Acres F: Jade Gresham, Tim Membrey, Josh Bruce R: Billy Longer, Jack Steele, Jack Steven I: Sam Gilbert, David Armitage, Luke Dunstan, Jack Lonie PREDICTED FINISH: 11th ODDS Flag: $34. Top 8: $2.30