Some are predicting the Saints to slide in 2024, but you wouldn’t want to underestimate a Ross Lyon-led side.
After playing finals in 2023, the Saints shed Jade Gresham, Jack Billings and Nick Coffield in the off-season but were able to acquire best 22 hopefuls Liam Henry and Paddy Dow with both players suiting the club’s age profile.
Those inclusions effectively cancel out the club’s departures, so the Saints will need some improvement from within if they’re to win a final in Lyon’s second season back at the club.
Everything starts down back under Ross and their back six is led by Callum Wilkie, he’s a lock to play a key role and will likely be supported by Josh Battle and Zaine Cordy after Dougal Howard fell out of favour. Jack Sinclair and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera are elite ball users off half back and Jimmy Webster is a solid all-around smaller option.
In the midfield, the Saints have quality on the outside with Mason Wood improving year on year, while Brad Hill and recruit Henry offer speed and class with ball in hand.
At the contest, it’s a workmanlike crew with star and skipper Jack Steele supported by senior heads Seb Ross and Brad Crouch. The addition of Dow could give this unit the burst they desire out of stoppage, while Rowan Marshall is one of the game’s best ruckmen.
Up forward, everything revolves around Max King and he’ll hope to be paired with Tim Membrey in 2024 after the 160-gamer played just seven games in 2023. At his feet are Dan Butler and Jack Higgins.
Perhaps the club’s biggest wildcard is their half-forward duo of Mitch Owens and Mattaes Phillipou. The two youngsters have shown glimpses of A-grade potential and if they go to another level they could bring the side for the journey with them.
Marcus Windhager is a best 22 lock and is another youngster who will look to improve, while Hunter Clark and Cooper Sharman have also shown great promise at times throughout their careers.
SEE THEIR BEST 22 BELOW
B: J.Battle / C.Wilkie / J.Webster
HB: N. Wanganeen-Milera / Z. Cordy / J.Sinclair
C: B.Hill / S.Ross / L.Henry
HF: D.Butler / T.Membrey / M.Owens
F: M.Phillipou / M.King / J.Higgins
Fol: R.Marshall / J.Steele / B.Crouch
Int: M.Wood / H.Clark / M.Windhager / P.Dow / C.Sharman (sub)
Emg: L.Stocker / D.Howard / A.Caminiti / D.Wilson
Overall thoughts: The Saints aren’t lacking in any area of the ground, but like most years the question on them revolves around their superstar talent.
Jack Sinclair is there and Jack Steele has been there before, but is this the year Max King finally breaks through as an All-Australian?
If he can push into that category with the likes of Wanganeen-Milera, Owens, Phillips and Windhager also improving, that’s how the Saints will go from a good side to a great one.
They’ll be well-coached. It’s all about the talent from within at Moorabbin that the Saints will be banking on in 2024.
