The Saints have undergone a period of significant list upheaval since the reappointment of Ross Lyon at the conclusion of the 2022 season. A heavy draft focus characterised his first few seasons back at the helm. Still, in keeping with an aggressive, club-wide focus on recapturing relevance, the Saints pivoted to procuring established talent in the most recent off-season.
These signings signalled an internal belief that the storied club are ready for a genuine flag tilt in the immediate future. Is this the side prepared to break through and claim Lyon and the Saints an elusive premiership?
Here's the best 23 that might run out in the candy stripe guernsey in 2026…
Forwards
On paper, St Kilda's forward line reads as rather tall, headlined by a long-awaited return to full flight for the tormented Max King. Mitch Owens and Cooper Sharman will provide hard-working foil as fellow talls, while Rowan Marshall's failed exit will necessitate time in the front 50 for the 10th-year North Ballarat man.
Jack Higgins spent 2025's early sledging as the form small forward of the competition, and will benefit from lesser attention, should King return as expected. Max Hall established himself as a permanent fixture last season, playing every game and providing spark as a medium forward. Expect Higgins and Hall to buzz at the foot of marking contests, and crumb with aplomb, with the latter to get good minutes through midfield too. Incoming veteran and premiership Eagle Liam Ryan will add to this dynamic, but will likely start most games on the pine.
Grizzly veteran Dan Butler has ranked elite for tackles in three of six completed seasons at Moorabbin, and given the importance of front-half pressure in the modern AFL, he and the aforementioned Ryan will be in constant selection considerations.
