“Never going back”: Why St Kilda’s new captain won’t return to old job

When St Kilda's newest captain Callum Wilkie was plucked from the SANFL, out of obscurity, he was an accountant at Rinaldi & Co Chartered Accountants.

Spreadsheets and numbers were his forte, but his footballing prowess was not to be overlooked, and for the Saints' sake, they're glad they didn't.

Since being taken as a rookie in 2018, Wilkie hasn't missed a beat, playing 155 consecutive games, winning an All-Australian blazer (2023) and a Trevor Barker Medal (2024).

Now an AFL captain.

"It's a funny one, definitely a little pinch yourself moment," Wilkie told Zero Hanger.

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"I don't really think about state league (or my journey) because I am focused on the now and the future of the playing group.

"But it's a massive honour from where I've been to where I am now, so I can't take it all for granted. I love coming to the footy club every day. 

"I get to play footy for a living. I was an accountant, I call it the real world, and I never want to go back there.

"I get to come in with 40 good friends, play football for a job and just hopefully do it as long as I can to take us back to finals and achieve the ultimate."

Wilkie and Jack Sinclair replace the departed Jack Steele, who was traded to Melbourne, as Ross Lyon and the Saints embark on a new era.

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The duo have different leadership skills, but as the 29-year-old puts it, their combination will benefit the club.

"I'm a bit more grumpy," Wilkie added.

"More grumpy in meetings when we're watching vision of something we don't do well.

"I can be demanding. Very vocal type of leader, and Sincs is getting there. When he speaks, he demands the attention of everyone in the room.

"You just try and help as much as we can and guide this group, pass on knowledge that we can instil in the other players.

"But it's really game day performance in terms of being able to play your role and be the best role models and guide the team in pressure situations.

"Sincs does that very well. He's a calming presence, so it's probably nice to have him up the field, because I'm usually on the last line and I can't scream at the forwards."

Wilkie's commitment to the future of St Kilda was briefly questioned when the Western Bulldogs came hard for his signature at the end of 2025.

But his faith in the direction of the club reverberated through Moorabbin, which added to the excitement of adding four stars from rival sides.

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"They've all brought something different," Wilkie said

"TDK is so athletic and big, he's been good fun. SOS down back with me, it's been very seamless. We see the game and play it very similarly. Another leader down there. He's very vocal.

"Liam Ryan is a classic. He's just a good footballer. He knows where to be at all times. He's achieved the ultimate before, so he knows what it takes.

"And Sammy Flanders has been great ever since he stepped in the door, so injecting him into the midfield would be nice."

The Saints kick off their 2026 season with a blockbuster Opening Round clash against Collingwood at the MCG on Sunday, March 8.