St Kilda's past fortnight has shown plenty of glimpses of the future, while sticking to the club's well-considered "strategy" that will hold Ross Lyon's side in good stead.
The Saints have openly illustrated their thought process behind blooding youth whilst also keeping a strong blend of experience to help guide the next generation of talent.
And although progress isn't always linear, there is optimism at Moorabbin.
"We've got a desire to get better," Lyon said.
"Young players are starting to step up alongside our senior players. If we can keep doing that, we'll keep improving.
"We're a club that needs to get better. We're off the pack, but we're fighting hard. We've got a strategy over a period of time that we're pursuing, but in the meantime, we want to win lots of AFL games of footy."
Alix Tauru was the seventh new face for the Saints in 2025, and his weekend performance against Fremantle validated Josh Battle's departure, with his free agency compensation essentially helping land the defender known as the 'Flying Viking'.
Max Hall played his best game for the club as Isaac Keeler had moments in the narrow defeat.
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera continues his impressive form amid a call on his future, while Mitch Owens, Hugo Garcia and Darcy Wilson also make up the next bracket of stars.
"It is exciting," Lyon said.
"We can't deny it's exciting to see Keeler catch and kick those goals. Nas, Owens, Wilson, Garcia was really good after a four-week spell.
"And that's the point. If they're not playing senior football, it's like you think they're not being developed. The really strong clubs, when they have strong teams, allow young players the right habits in the VFL competition, over a period of, not weeks, but a couple of years.
"Fortunately, or unfortunately, our young players get exposed to the brutal reality of AFL football too early. We're trying to strike that balance with all our young players."
To assist in streamlining the development of youth at St Kilda, the Moorabbin club has cut ties with VFL-affiliate Sandringham Dragons from next year.
The change will mean St Kilda join 15 other clubs who currently have their own club tied to them in the VFL, with Sandringham supporting the Saints since 2009.
"It's a cultural piece," Lyon said.
"It's a development piece. Ultimately, we want players to pull on the Saints colours, and if you look around the league, we'd be one of the last bastions.
"I think it's a really, culturally positive move. It builds on our social capital within our club. Bricks and mortar. There's more mortar going into place."
The call will mean Sandringham remain in the VFL from 2026 as a standalone side, joining Southport, the Northern Bullants, Williamstown, Werribee, Frankston and Coburg in having no alignment to an AFL side.
It will then move to a 22-team competition next year, pending no further change.
The Saints will attempt to end a three-game losing streak when they host Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.
