2011 Overview:

2011 was a massive year for the St. Kilda Football Club.

After starting the year poorly, winning only one of their first seven games, the saints finished strongly to secure sixth spot on the ladder. Throughout 2011 St. Kilda had to deal with the mental effects of losing the 2010 grand final, player scandals as well as players not playing at their best capabilities. The club was fractured, but they still managed to play finals, it was an extraordinary effort. The saints were beaten convincingly by a strong Sydney outfit in the finals, but this was not the end of their 2011 season. Ross Lyon sensationally left St. Kilda, to coach Fremantle. In an extraordinary night, Mark Harvey was sacked as Fremantle coach and Ross Lyon was appointed the coach of Fremantle. It left both St. Kilda and Fremantle fans outraged; and it also left the entire football community gobsmacked.  A few weeks later, Scott Watters was appointed as the new St. Kilda coach, marking the beginning of a new era at St. Kilda
Key Players:

Sam Fisher: After the departure of Zac Dawson (to Fremantle in the Pre-Season Draft), St. Kilda now has a massive hole in the backline. Dawson was their full back and now it is left to either Beau Wilkes or Tom Simpkin to fill the void. Because Fisher plays as the spare man, it is vitally important that he helps out his defenders, because if he doesn’t, they could leak big scores. Fisher is arguably one of the best defenders in the game and it is imperative that he helps out his young defence this year, for St. Kilda to have a better chance at playing finals footy.

Brendon Goddard: Once again, Brendon Goddard is one of the Saints key players. As I said last year, “He organises the defensive unit, runs effectively through the midfield and can push forward to kick outstanding goals and take spectacular marks”. Goddard is one of the vital organs of the St. Kilda Football Club because he has the ability to change games. This year, Goddard may spend more time in the midfield and forward line. Goddard needs to be one of the players delivering the ball to Riewoldt and Co. He has one of the most effective kicks in the game and it is vital for Brendon to be kicking it to their forwards.

3 Most important games:

Round 1: Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.

First game of the year, away from home and what they need is a win. With a new coach, new assistant coaches, new game style and some new players. They must start with a win to kick start their season.

Round 4: Fremantle at Etihad Stadium

With the controversy surrounding the departure of Ross Lyon, the saints will be determined to get a win over their old coach. They will be desperate to get over the line, expect a fierce, hard hitting contest, and hopefully a close one.

Round 21: Geelong at Etihad Stadium.

It won’t be till near the end of the year, where we will get any bigger test than the reigning premiers. This will be the perfect lead up into the finals, as we will be able to see how the Saints stand amongst the leagues best. An important game that the Saints need to play well in if they want to have a decent crack at the premiership.

2012, what to expect?
It is nearly impossible to predict where St Kilda will finish the year. Realistically, they could finish anywhere between first and tenth. But some questions need to be asked of the saints. Do the stars still have the hunger? Can they have another crack at the big one? Will the kids step up? Will the players be able to approach Watter’s new game style successfully? There are numerous questions, that won’t be answered till the end of the season. They could finish in the finals or they could just finish outside the eight, no one can be sure of how the saints will react to the changes at their club. But one thing is for sure, the saints have the star power to make it happen. If everything gels this year, then they still could be a major force, their star players, are amongst the best in the business. Expect a lot of youth to be played and some fast footy. However, it wouldn’t be surprising if the defence is leaking big scores this season. The most realistic finish for St. Kilda would be to finish between fifth and ninth.

Nick Ciantar is a second year Bachelor of Social Sciences student at La Trobe University. You can follow him on Twitter: @nick_saint13.