Paid little mind and predicted to finish bottom six by most, even bottom four by a few, St Kilda had few fans entering the 2023 season. How surprising it was then when they spent the entire season in the top eight.
With 'Ross the Boss' back at the helm, they featured in finals for just the second time since 2011, though they bowed out in week one after coming up against a far superior GWS outfit.
That being said, not much went right for the Saints leading into 2023. It's easy to forget they started the season without any key forwards available. Max King, Tim Membrey and Jack Hayes all suffering significant injuries in the pre-season.
It was their emerging young talent and makeshift forward line that captured the hearts of the Saints' faithful, winning plenty of admirers for their desire, dare and competitiveness.
While they had plenty of heart, they lacked polish, star power and the ability to score heavily and as a result, were found out in finals.
Knowing what they need going forward, the Saints targeted the draft heavily, taking five players, before taking ex-Port Adelaide defender Riley Bonner in the rookie draft.
The players they picked were largely running machines with leg speed, signalling Ross Lyon's intent to ensure the Saints are one of the hardest gut-running teams in the AFL.
Going into 2024, they also need a clean bill of health for Max King, and Jack Steele to get back to his best after a tough two years with injury. In fact, they'd just love to have most of their players available for Round 1, something they haven't had for two years.
They'd also love to see continued development and improvement from Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Mitch Owens, Marcus Windhager, Mattaes Phillipou and Anthony Caminiti, with all of them crucial to the Saints' future.
Darcy Wilson forcing his way into the side nice and early to provide extra run on the outside and aid the likes of Jack Sinclair, Mason Wood and Bradley Hill out on the wings, would be a big bonus.
The Saints are in an interesting position, they're a candidate to slide back down the ladder so can't afford to rest on their laurels, not that Ross Lyon is likely to let them.
Here's how we think the Saints line up in 2024...
BEST 23s:ADELAIDE, BRISBANE, CARLTON, COLLINGWOOD, ESSENDON, FREMANTLE, GEELONG, GOLD COAST, GWS, HAWTHORN, MELBOURNE, NORTH MELBOURNE, PORT ADELAIDE, RICHMOND
The Saints backline in 2023 was one of the stingiest in the AFL, well-organised, hard to break down and capable of turning defence into attack quickly at times. Much of this is down to the intercept work of Callum Wilkie and Josh Battle.
While neither are overly tall, Battle is athletic and courageous, while Wilkie has an exception football IQ and is able to read the play incredibly well. Both are crucial to the Saints' structure.
While it may seem harsh not to have Dougal Howard as the number one key defender right now, it's hard to argue with Zaine Cordy's late season form in the backline as they marched towards finals.
Likewise Marcus Windhager, who carved out a nice role for himself down back late in the year and began to show why the Saints rate him so highly.
They will be hoping that he continues his progress in 2024. Should he not, Liam Stocker, Riley Bonner and Jimmy Webster are all waiting in the wings and ready to pounce.
Complementing this backline is the class of Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and speed and rebound of Jack Sinclair. Both are deadly by foot and heavily involved in the way the Saints move the ball out of defence, they pick themselves every week.
There is little that will change in the St Kilda engine room apart from, in an ideal world, more midfield minutes for the likes of Mitch Owens, Mattaes Phillipou and Marcus Windhager.
Their midfield is workmanlike, comprised of largely tough inside players, yet lacking in x-factor and star power for the most part, and aside from Jack Sinclair's stints in the middle, there is little explosiveness away from the stoppages.
Rowan Marshall is the club's clear number one ruckman and one of the best big men in the competition, he thrives on being the sole ruck so, while Jack Hayes or Mitch Owens may pinch hit from time to time, Marshall will shoulder the majority of the load.
At his feet will be the inside grunt of Jack Steele and Brad Crouch, both coming off very different seasons. Steele looked lighter and ready to cover more ground coming into 2023, yet was struck down by injury and never quite got going. He will be champing at the bit for redemption in 2024.
Crouch, meanwhile, had his best season in the red, white and black in 2023, producing consistently strong performances throughout the year. The Saints will need him to be as good, if not better in 2024.
Ideally, Mitch Owens will continue his rise to potential stardom and cement a place in the midfield alongside Steele and Crouch. The young bull offers power, pace and the x-factor that the Saints so desperately need around the stoppages.
Rotating through the engine room will be the likes of Jack Sinclair, Mattaes Phillipou and Hunter Clark, all of whom offer the Saints something different.
Manning the wings will be running machines Mason Wood and Brad Hill, both coming off their best seasons at St Kilda as well. Ross Lyon will hope that Paddy Dow, Ryan Byrnes and Darcy Wilson all push to get minutes on the wing as well.
All are elite runners, something Lyon will be very keen to exploit in 2024.
The forward line is perhaps the easiest to pick for the Saints out of all three sections of the ground, given they don't appear to have too many new or different options to what they are currently operating with.
Dan Butler and Jack Higgins pick themselves as the small pressure forwards, though more will be expected of them on the scoreboard in 2024 if the Saints are to truly ever be a contender.
Liam Henry will also likely spend large periods of time in the forward line, his skill and agility is something the Saints are craving to have in the mix.
A fully fit Jack Hayes would be a welcome boost for the club, given his ability to crash packs, kick goals and pinch hit in the ruck, his aggression and power would ease the pressure on Max King.
As for King, he will be hoping that his shoulder, now fully reconstructed, is healed and ready to carry a big load in 2024. The Saints are at their best when he is firing, there is no doubting he has talent, he must now find consistency.
The AFL world will also be hopeful of a Tim Membrey return, the popular forward is crucial to the way this forward line operates and when fully fit, he complements King nicely while also able to hit the scoreboard.
Similarly, Cooper Sharman is able to operate as a foil for King and adds a different dimension to this forward line. His ability to take a big pack mark, as well as his accuracy in front of goal make him a valuable asset.
Finally, rising star Mattaes Phillipou will look to take his game up a notch or two in 2024. He is clearly driven, intent on succeeding at AFL level and is not short on confidence. The challenge for him now is deliver more than flashes of brilliance and really start to impact games more consistently.
There's no doubting the Saints' forward line is capable, however they are currently one of the AFL's lowest-scoring teams. They will likely need to change things up a bit in 2024 if they are to play finals again.
FB: Callum Wilkie, Zaine Cordy, Marcus Windhager
HB: Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Josh Battle, Jack Sinclair
C: Mason Wood, Brad Crouch, Bradley Hill
HF: Dan Butler, Jack Hayes, Tim Membrey
FF: Jack Higgins, Max King, Mattaes Phillipou
FOLL: Rowan Marshall, Jack Steele, Mitch Owens
I/C: Hunter Clark, Cooper Sharman, Liam Henry, Liam Stocker
SUB: Paddy Dow