Last Season
The Saints were living what seemed to be a pipe dream early in the 2019 season. Alan Richardson lifted his side to equal top of the ladder with a record of 4-1 - their only loss to that point being against Fremantle, away, by less than a kick.
There was a belief that this youthful side could return to September for the first time since 2011 and perhaps repeat a fairytale story alike the Bulldogs of 2016.
But the dream was soon to fade.
Two victories across the next 11 rounds in the middle of last year was the nail in the coffin for the Saints and for now ex-coach Richardson. That poor run of form ended when Brett Ratten took over the reins within the St Kilda coaches box as the club saw three wins in their next four matches and eventually end their 2019 campaign in 14th and three wins outside the top eight.
Ratten's permanent appointment in September was no surprise as he looked to have lifted the spirits within the Saints inner sanctum and reignite belief within their rebuilding system.
Off-season
In: Dougal Howard (Port Adelaide), Paddy Ryder (Port Adelaide), Bradley Hill (Fremantle), Zak Jones (Sydney Swans), Dan Butler (Richmond)
Out: David Armitage (retired), Billy Longer (delisted), Lewis Pierce (delisted), Sam Rowe (delisted), Jack Steven (Geelong Cats), Blake Acres (Fremantle), Josh Bruce (Western Bulldogs), Bailey Rice (delisted), Robbie Young (delisted), Brandon White (delisted).
Off-season grade: A-
St Kilda were not looking to mess around in their pursuit for star players and formidable role players to bolster their chances of finals football in 2020.
Highlighted by their treasure chest trade to land Fremantle star wingman Bradley Hill with picks 10, 58, future second and fourth-round selections along with Blake Acres, the Saints' trade period gave the rest of the AFL a decent warning for this year.
Having also acquired Port Adelaide pair Dougal Howard and Paddy Ryder along with pick 10 and Swans two-way runner in Zak Jones, it was clear to see the path Brett Ratten was planning to take.
The loss of key forward Josh Bruce and former skipper Jack Steven is sure to leave some Saints fans hurt, but their absence fails to leave any major holes in the club's best 22.
The Saints were also able to add premiership Tiger Dan Butler at the cost of pick 56, a deal that can only be seen as a positive for the club as he'll be sure to apply selection pressure on a host of the Saints' small forwards.
St Kilda's first draft selection came with pick 52, selecting Ryan Byrnes, and ended with their next pick at 64, drafting Leo Connolly. It is unlikely that either player will have an impact on the first team this season, proving that the club has officially transitioned into a win-now mentality by leaving the reliance on fresh debutants to the past.
Defining Period
St Kilda have been gifted a strong fixture for 2020 despite being drawn as the 10th most difficult by Champion Data.
They open their season with nine games at Marvel Stadium in their opening 11 matches - with just one game interstate during that period coming against the Giants in round nine.
The tough part of the season for the Saints will also fall in their opening half of the season, facing West Coast, Richmond, Melbourne, Geelong and Collingwood between rounds two and seven.
If the Saints can master the art of turning their home ground into a fortress, they will set themselves up with a more comforting second half of the season, where they still manage another six games on the Docklands.
No consecutive interstate trips either should warrant fresh legs and a strong shot of featuring in September.
Best 22
B: Jarryn Geary, Jake Carlisle, Callum Wilkie
HB: Dylan Roberton, Dougal Howard, Hunter Clark
C: Jack Billings, Seb Ross, Bradley Hill
HF: Jade Gresham, Tim Membrey, Jack Sinclair
F: Dan Butler, Max King, Jack Lonie
FOLL: Rowan Marshall, Jack Steele, Dan Hannebery
I/C: Luke Dunstan, Jimmy Webster, Zak Jones, Josh Battle
Champion Data says
"New coach. New additions. New expectations. That's the reality for St Kilda heading into this season. Depending on which lens you are viewing things through, it can be exciting, daunting, nervous or a combination of all the above and then some."
Strengths and Weaknesses
The Saints love to run, and love to carry. They were the side to play on from mark the most in 2018 and backed it up again last season being rated 1st overall in the league for mark play on % between rounds six and 17.
Their ability to move the ball fast from 50 to 50 and damage opponents on the counter attack may just be what gives them an edge on their opponents in 2020. Having added Brad Hill and seeing a number of young players have the desired off-seasons the club desired, we could see an even more damaging Saints attack ignited from their defence.
Unfortunately for Brett Ratten and his side, the weaknesses may just outweigh the strengths.
Scoring at both ends seemed to be the major concern in 2019, having the worst accuracy in front of goal and allowing the best shot at goal % at the other end of the ground. The Saints also featured as one of the worst sides to allow points from turnovers. Their run is strong one way but is let down once possession is out of their hands. Holding onto the pill and getting greater reward for their forward 50 entries will be key in 2020.
Prediction: 9th
The Saints are one of several clubs that could realistically finish anywhere between 6th and 14th. Their off-season recruiting saw a drop it critics and a rise in contention for a finals birth in 2020. A fit and gunning Saints side will be sure to surprise a few this year, turning Marvel Stadium into their own fortress will make that a certainty.
