New St Kilda recruit Liam Henry is keen to spread his wings once he pulls on the red, white and black, with the departed Dockers young gun looking to take on multiple roles under Ross Lyon.
Henry was traded to the Saints earlier this month after requesting a move away from Fremantle, leaving the Western Australian side after four years and 43 games in purple.
His venture east comes after a breakout year for the 22-year-old, who played in the Dockers' last dozen games of the season after spending an early portion of his 2023 campaign at the WAFL level.
Henry would flourish in a new role further up the field, recording 18 or more disposals on 10 occasions after failing to do so once prior to 2023, a form spell that included three games of 31 or more possessions.
The Cottesloe junior will be looking to continue his newfound form at Linton Street when he links up with mentor and former Fremantle star Bradley Hill at the Saints, with Henry ready to flex his ball-carrying and agility at his new home.
The St Kilda addition is also excited to play under the Marvel Stadium roof, looking to capitalise on the cleaner conditions while adding to his game with St Kilda.
"Hopefully I can bring my composure, my skills around the footy, my run and speed," Henry told the club after his move.
"Marvel is a really good stadium to have that. I love playing at that stadium. I always played there as a young player in the under-18s and 16s. I love playing under the roof and in dry weather.
"I've grown into a player where I've learnt a lot over my four years at Freo that hopefully I can teach and learn a lot as well from the players at St Kilda."
While Henry views his best role on the wing, where he may partner with Hill, the emerging flanker also has an eye on playing inside midfield as well as floating forward when needed.
The 180cm utility said he's looking to expand on the roles he can play and not be a one-dimensional piece for his new side.
"My best footy is probably on the wing, but I can play multiple positions," Henry said.
"Hopefully I can play inside and swing forward as well. I'm looking to expand my utility and hopefully Ross is up to that as well.
"We can be exciting as a wing pair. [Hill] being a great runner and a great ball distributor, I think we'll be able to connect really well.
"We're not adapting to just one role. If you can play different roles then you can be put in different places."
Henry joins an exciting young group at Moorabbin, with Mitchito Owens, Max King, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Marcus Windhager and Mattaes Phillipou all calling St Kilda home.
Having also joined Carlton's Paddy Dow in heading to the Saints this off-season, Henry said it's an exciting time to be part of Lyon's ranks where he can flourish with his speed and flair.
"I've been watching [the Saints] for a little bit. I see that St Kilda is a really quick footy team and I love when they get it from half-back," he said.
"You've got the likes of Nasiah and (Jack) Sinclair, and Jack Higgins kicking goals and Max King when he's leading up. Then you've got the inside bull of Jack Steele and the outside run of Bradley Hill.
"I think there's a really good connection between the group. They've brought in some young players like Mitch Owens who have come in and had a good impact at the level.
"I'm really excited to learn the St Kilda way and how they play. They move it really quickly and that's what I love, the running and getting on the outside and hopefully kicking a few as well."
St Kilda made a return to the top eight in Lyon's first season back with the club this year before falling to GWS in a home elimination final.
