2018 was close to a complete write-off for St Kilda.
After finishing just shy of a top-eight finish the season prior, the Saints plummeted catastrophically, notching up a mere four wins and a draw.
In general, Alan Richardson’s men lacked the capacity to piece together four quarters of football and – when coupled with a lack of speed and grade talent – spelled several heavy defeats and underwhelming performances.
St Kilda have accordingly recruited to combat the woes of 2018, with the likes of Matt Parker, Robbie Young and Nick Hind adding some much-needed flair and grunt, while Max King has fittingly assumed the No. 12 to replace Nick Riewoldt as the next powerhouse forward.
While the Saints boasted a relatively clean bill of health in the pre-season, the ruling out of Jake Carlisle and Dylan Roberton for Season 2019 has ravaged their backline stocks.
With Jonathon Marsh and Sam Rowe joining the red, white and black through the SSP at the last moment, the Saints will still look in-house to cover their massive losses.
Darragh Joyce and forward-turned-defender Josh Battle are the most likely candidates to help veterans Jimmy Webster and Jarryn Geary, with the former duo destined to add to their small games tally.
The absence of prize recruit Dan Hannebery (hamstring) through the midfield will thrust the likes of Jack Billings, Jade Gresham and Hunter Clark into the centre, with the latter poised for a breakout year after an exceptional pre-season.
Jack Steven is expected to line up against Gold Coast this Sunday however, after taking time away from the club to address his mental health.
It will be up to vice-captain Seb Ross and Jack Steele to shoulder most of the responsibility however, with both showing solid form across the two JLT Community Series matches.
With Paddy McCartin set to spend some time on the sidelines as he battles through his heavily-documented concussion issues, the responsibility up forward will fall to the returning Josh Bruce and newly-elected leader, Tim Membrey.
The bar has been set low for the Saints externally - but there's no better situation for the red, white and black to prove their critics wrong.
OUR BEST 22 - ROUND 1
NOTABLE OMISSIONS: Dan Hannebery (hamstring), Dylan Roberton (heart), Paddy McCartin (concussion), Max King (knee), Billy Longer (hamstring), Daniel McKenzie, Sam Rowe, Jack Sinclair, Ed Phillips
MVP
After a quiet start to the 2018 Season, Jack Steele flipped the switch to finish the year strongly, earning himself a third-place finish in the Trevor Barker Award.
As well as notching up scalps against Ollie Wines, Tom Mitchell and Ben Cunnington in his newfound tagging role, Steele earned plenty of the ball himself, with a 35-disposal and nine tackle effort against the Roos one of his highlights.
Destined to become a two-way midfielder this season, Steele could emerge as the most damaging asset to the Saints' engine room.
BREAKOUT
Hunter Clark enjoyed 15 games in his debut season for the Saints and looks poised for an even more promising year in 2019.
Receiving glowing endorsements from Seb Ross and Brett Ratten regarding his impressive pre-season has only reaffirmed his talent, which was on full display in his two JLT Community Series outings.
One of many young Saints hoping to break into the club's engine room, Clark has all the makings to shine in just his second season of senior football.
UNDER THE PUMP
Billy Longer was the Saints' number one ruck option in 2017, before Tom Hickey returned to squeeze him out of the prime position last season.
Lining up for only five games in 2018 and currently sidelined with hamstring issues, Longer will need to make an impact upon return to edge past the aggressive Lewis Pierce and dual-position player, Rowan Marshall.
Longer's one-year contract extension will also come to an end at the conclusion of the 2019 Season.
EARLY PREDICTIONS...
1. St Kilda will fare better than expected, particularly given its extensive injury list
2. Jack Steele will take the next step into becoming an elite midfielder
3. Alan Richardson will remain as coach of St Kilda
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