There have been a few injuries during the preseason, along with changes due to trades and player retirements, that have opened up opportunities for players at St Kilda. It’s hard to predict exactly who will fill each role, but here are some players we believe have the potential to step up.
Undervalued Players
Jack Macrae
I didn’t realise how thin St Kilda’s midfield depth was until we recorded the forwards podcast the other day and took a look at their list. Beyond Jack Steele, there’s really no one else who can score well in fantasy—apart from maybe Mattaes Phillipou, who is now injured. As a result, I can’t see a world where Jack Macrae doesn’t average over 90, possibly even more, in that number two midfield role. Lock him in as one of the best forwards of 2025.
Hunter Clark
Given the lack of midfield depth and the injury to Mattaes Phillipou, I think the Saints will need to lean on Hunter Clark a little more. I’m not expecting huge numbers, but I believe he can get closer to an 80 average if everything goes to plan. However, taper your expectations when Phillipou returns.
Liam Henry
Henry had a disappointing year at St Kilda with a few injury concerns, but there were times when he was pushed up into midfield roles, and showed signs of being a solid contributor. He may not be a star, but listed as a forward, he has the potential to push a 70-plus average if things go his way.
Jack Carroll
St Kilda’s lack of midfield depth applies to Jack Carroll as well. I don’t see why they would have recruited him if they didn’t intend to play him in the midfield. He’s shown signs in the past and had a strong underage fantasy career. If he gets a decent run at it, he could be a handy fantasy player. The bonus? He’s listed as a forward. Aim to pick him up late in the draft and hope for the best.
Breakout Candidates
Mattaes Phillipou
A breakout season seemed inevitable before his preseason injury. That said, I still believe he can average over 80 this year—it just might take some time. His stress fracture will mean he’ll have to regain full fitness, potentially playing forward upon his return. But as the season progresses, he could return to being an elite scorer, as he showed at the end of last season.
Darcy Wilson
There’s been plenty of preseason talk about Wilson moving into an inside midfield role. He has the skill set to do so, but given this is only his second year, it may take time for him to adjust. If he adapts quickly, he’s every chance to put up a decent average this season.
Mitch Owens
Owens’ fantasy relevance depends on his role. I get the impression he’ll be used as a forward, but he has the ability to rotate through the midfield. If that happens, he could be a decent scorer given his skill set. This is the last chance I give him for a breakout though—if he doesn’t make his mark in the midfield this year, it’s unlikely to ever happen.
Arie Schoenmaker
With all the injuries in St Kilda’s defence, I can’t see a world where Schoenmaker doesn’t play a lot of footy in 2025. He was a huge underage scorer and showed glimpses in his few games last season. The concern is that he’ll be sharing the backline with strong scorers like Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Jack Sinclair. If he can coexist with them, he has huge fantasy potential.
Stash Options
Harry Boyd
Boyd was a dominant ruck and strong scorer at the state league level before being recruited as an SSP signing. With Rowan Marshall going down with injury, there’s a chance he debuts early. It’s unclear if St Kilda will play two rucks, but with Marshall turning 29, Boyd might not have to wait too long for a full-time gig. Try to stash him for a couple of years.
Senior Players
Bradley Hill
You could do worse than Bradley Hill. He won’t be a huge scorer given his age, but he has forward status and the ability to push further up the ground to accumulate possessions. He’s a good late pickup for contending coaches needing an extra forward.
Rookie Watch
Toby Travaglia
Travaglia was St Kilda’s first pick in the 2025 draft and one of the better underage fantasy scorers. As a half-back flanker, he’s in the perfect position for fantasy in modern football. To find out more about him and other St Kilda draftees, listen to our draftee podcast or check out our draftee analysis guide.
