The Saints have quite a handy list at their disposal and with a lot of their players nearing their prime, they need to make 2022 count. Are they genuine flag contenders this season?
St Kilda Saints Best 22
The Saints have plenty of good defenders who can play numerous roles throughout the team which gives them great flexibility. I expect Dougal Howard and Callum Wilkie to be the pillars of their defence, aided by Tom Highmore playing as the third tall. Highmore looks a genuine lock in the Best 22 now that Nick Coffield will miss the season with an ACL. Ben Paton returns to the side after missing 2021 with a broken leg and will be a valuable lockdown defender which should allow Jack Sinclair and Hunter Clark to provide plenty of run and drive from the backline. Josh Battle is the ultimate swingman and can provide assistance back there if they need a bit of extra height. Jimmy Webster is another who can play a more defensive role and even allows the Saints to free up Clark to play some midfield time if required.
I have Brad Hill starting on a wing but word on the street is that he is likely playing in defence. This could allow Sinclair or Clark the chance to get up the ground if that is the case. Their starting on-ball brigade is very strong with Jack Steele, Brad Crouch and Zak Jones providing plenty of class and ferocity in the middle.
Jade Gresham will be like a new recruit after missing the majority of last season. He’ll likely play a fair bit up forward with stints in the middle while he gets his touch back. Jack Higgins and Dan Butler will provide plenty of headaches for opposition defenders while Max King, Tim Membrey and Paddy Ryder are all genuine aerial threats who can kick a bag on their day.
There are plenty of handy midfielders at the Saints and in my opinion Seb Ross and Ryan Byrnes are leading contenders for a spot on the bench to rotate through the middle. Jack Bytel would be next in line and Dan Hannebery could be an x-factor if he can get himself fit.
The Saints also have plenty of depth with Ben Long, Dan McKenzie, Cooper Sharman, Jarryn Geary, Mason Wood and Dean Kent all more than capable of playing a role if called on due to injury.
CBA prediction
2021 CBA leaders (by average):
- Jack Steele
- Jack Bytel
- Luke Dunstan
- Paddy Ryder
- Paul Hunter
- Rowan Marshall
The Oracle’s 2022 CBA prediction:
- Jack Steele
- Brad Crouch
- Rowan Marshall
- Zak Jones
- Paddy Ryder
- Jade Gresham
Kick-in prediction
2021 kick-in leaders:
- Dougal Howard
- Jimmy Webster
- Brad Hill
The Oracle’s 2022 kick-in prediction:
- Dougal Howard
- Hunter Clark
- Brad Hill
