Former St Kilda on-baller Nick Dal Santo says his positivity regarding the Saints’ future has diminished since this time last year.
Dal Santo believes that his former side missed out massively in failing to secure a big-name player through trade or free agency this year, despite holding the lure of picks seven and eight in this year’s NAB AFL National Draft.
Without any major additions to the side this off-season - Power youngster Logan Austin their only new face from the NAB AFL Trade Period - the ex-Saint worries about the future of the club despite the potential of bringing in two well-regarded youngsters with their opening selections in next month’s draft.
“They need polish. They needed a Josh Kelly,” he told SEN Breakfast.
“They’re not missing that many pieces but I’m also not as optimistic as I almost was last year with the Saints for next season.
“I look through their list and they have some really good players, (but) where’s that next step going to come from?
“They finished outside just again but someone has to go outside the top eight for them to come in and I can’t see them beating too many more teams with next year’s list.
“I know Rooey (Nick Riewoldt) it wasn’t the best year he has ever had. Leigh Montagna was not at his best anymore. Sean Dempster didn’t play this year, but overall I don’t know how they are going to fill those voids.”