Nine reasons why St Kilda fans should be positive heading into 2025

Today at 09:41 PM

Despite having made an elimination final and finishing sixth in 2023, St Kilda ended in 12th this season winning only eleven games.

Next year will mark 59 years since St Kilda's only premiership in 1966, making it difficult for the Moorabbin faithful to remain optimistic for success. But Cam Luke has provided nine reasons for St Kilda fans to stick by the red, white and black in 2025.

1. They own the draft

"They have pick seven and eight. It's an incredibly strong draft," Cam Luke told AFL Trade Radio

"The conversations with St Kilda are more prevalent around draft pick swapping than any other club.

"Seven and eight is a huge handful and they can trade up or trade down.

"They even have the option to hold onto it themselves."

2. Young developing list

"They have a list that is going in the right direction.

"Phillipou is 19 years old, Windhager's 21, Wanganeen-Milera's 21, Owens is 21, Wilson's 19, Schoenmaker's 19, Caminiti is 20 plus pick seven and eight.

"They have a list that are all going to grow together. They are all under 21 years of age, and they take the game on.

"St Kilda are in a perfect situation for Tasmania to come in. These players will be in the prime age of their life.

3. Football management

"They keep swinging.

"Allan and Silvagni have been around for a long time and have been very successful in different aspects of the game.

"The fact they took a swing at the Essendon captain a few weeks ago, suggests they have cap space.

"The way they changed their salary cap in the last few years means they are going to get someone soon.

"They will swing. We know they swung at Davies-Uniacke, they swung at Zach Merrett.

"In the past, it might have been hard to sell them as a destination club, but I think they will get someone soon.

"I think in 12 months they will pop up as a destination club. They have cash to play with which makes it easier too.

4. Max King

"I am backing this kid to get his shoulders and body right and give us 65 goals a year soon.

"He kicked 52 goals in his third year, but injuries have consistently slowed him down.

"If you're St Kilda, you're not sitting there hoping he gets fit, you're thinking he will get fit.

"It is time for Max King to stand up and deliver."

5. Ross Lyon

"I am a Ross Lyon guy.

"I like Ross Lyon. I think he took St Kilda and Fremantle right there into the guts of a premiership.

"There is no doubt Ross Lyon has been flexible and adaptable.

"He's been able to adapt to the lists he's got. His teams take the game on.

"I think he is the right guy to lead this club forward."

6. RSEA Park

"Being at Moorabbin with first-class facilities, the truth is it is a wonderful place to train and get better as a team.

"Going to Seaford for those years hurt them, but being back in Moorabbin and their spiritual home with the facilities they have there also allows them to develop the players they've got.

"It attracts and excites people."

7. Callum Wilkie

"Wilkie has had a big couple of years including an All-Australian blazer last year.

"He is an amazing player."

8. Inconsistencies are normal

"At times they're going to be great, but other times it's a rollercoaster.

"Someday they will all click, and they will be an avalanche."

9. Darcy Wilson and Wanganeen-Milera

"Gut running is a huge thing in football today and Darcy Wilson is a gut runner.

"He is an incredible runner. He was a photo finish in the Grand Final sprint.

"Wanganeen-Milera is in the conversation about who the best young player for St Kilda is."