St. Kilda’s most successful team between 1897 and 1964
St. Kilda’s most successful team between 1897 and 1964
If success is judged by finals wins and grand final appearances, then St. Kilda’s most successful team for the 68 years from the VFL inception in 1897 to 1964 (obviously 1965 and 66 brought two Grand Final appearances and a premiership), then the 1913 Grand Final team is it.
Using the criteria of finals wins and grand final appearances, let’s look at the finals record of St. Kilda between 1897 and 1964.
1907 Semi Final Loss
1908 Semi Final Loss
1913 Three Finals: two Wins and a ‘Grand Final loss’.
1918 Semi Final Loss
1929 Semi Final Loss
1939 Two finals: one Semi Final win, one Preliminary Final loss
1961 Semi Final Loss
1963 Semi Final Loss
Eleven finals in 68 years, with three wins and eight losses. Two of those wins came in 1913 resulting in the 1913 Grand Final appearance against Fitzroy, the first for St. Kilda in the VFL. Delving deeper into who was in this 1913 team, and who missed out, there are four players from this team (or era) who were inducted into the VFL/AFL Centenary Year in 1996 as an original AFL Legend or into the AFL Hall of Fame. These four players from this 1913 Grand Final team comprised original AFL Legend Roy Cazaly and Hall of Famers, Wels Eicke, Vic Armstrong and Dave McNamara.
The only other St. Kilda players I can see who were inducted into the VFL/AFL Hall of Fame who played between 1897 and 1964 (and not part of the 1965 and 1966 Saints teams) were goalkicking great of the 1930’s Wilbur ‘Bill’ Mohr, Les Foote (mainly through his exploits with North Melbourne, but certainly impacted as Captain Coach of the Saints in 1954 and 1955 and winning the Saints Best and Fairest in 1955) and 1958 Brownlow Medallist, Best and Fairest and Saints Captain from 1958 to 1962, Neil Roberts.
Dave McNamara actually did not play in this 1913 Grand Final team. In fact he did not play at all for the Saints in 1913. McNamara’s 122 games and 187 goals for the Saints were played over the period, 1905-1909, 1914-15, 1918-19, 1921 to 1923. McNamara in 2000 was named in St. Kilda’s Team of the Century as a Forward Pocket. He was one of the reasons why the Saints made the finals for the first appearance ever in 1907 and starred for Victoria in 1908. McNamara and Cumberland were listed in the AFL Season Record guide as the best two players for St.Kilda in their first final in 1907 against Carlton, going down by 56 points. McNamara kicked 3 goals. George Morrissey also played in this game.
McNamara missed the entire 1913 season. In Jim Main and Russell Holmesby’s Encylopedia of AFL Footballers, it stated that “McNamara stood in as captain of the Saints as a 21 year old in 1908 and in 1909 was one of many players who were in dispute with the club and left to play with VFA side Essendon. McNamara became the first player to top a century of goals with 107 goals from Centre Half Forward and in one match kicked 18 goals. St. Kilda and McNamara made their peace, the Saints wooing him back for the 1913 season, but a protracted clearance battle meant that he wasn’t cleared”.
Dave McNamara, original 1996 Hall of Famer, who was the first St. Kilda player to kick 10 goals in a game, against Geelong in his final year in 1922, as Captain Coach none the less. (Surprisingly the history records showed in 1922 the Saints leading goal kicker that year was Harry Moyes who was club leading goalkicker in 1915 and also from 1921 to 1923). McNamara also coached the Saints in partnership with George Sparrow in 1913 and was Captain Coach in 1922 and 1923. He captained the club in 1914 with 1913 Grand Final Captain Harry Lever.
Notably from this era Dave McNamara was recognised in 1996 as an original AFL Hall of Famer. As was Harry ‘Vic’ Cumberland, the oldest recorded player to play VFL/AFL football in at 43 years of age in 1920, where he played 126 games for the Saints and kicking 72 goals between 1903 and 1920. Cumberland was a premiership player with Melbourne in 1900 as a ruck rover, where he was named best for Melbourne by some ‘footy experts’ in their 4 point win over Fitzroy.
A pioneer of the game Cumberland reportedly left the club in 1904 to head to New Zealand to set up the Australian game there. Was he forerunner to the Saints trips to New Zealand earlier this century? Armstrong was a Magarey Medallist in South Australia and a World War 1 Soldier.
1913 Saints Grand Final half back flanker, Wels Eicke, played 197 games for the Saints from 1909 to 1926. He kicked 61 goals, won three Saints best and fairest’s in 1914, 1915 and 1919. Like Les Foote, Eicke in 1919 was Captain Coach of the Saints and won the best and fairest. He represented Victoria in 9 games and also coached the Saints jointly with Percy Wilson in 1924. In 1996 Eicke was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame.
Some judge Eicke to have been the best Saints player in the 1913 Grand Final. Many also say he was as good a mark as anyone in the game. Eicke must have been a prodigious talent as a youngster, debuting for the Saints aged 15 years and 315 days old in 1909. And still the third youngest ever, behind Essendon’s Tim Watson and Collingwood’s Keith Bromage.
“Up There Cazaly”, Roy Cazaly was the fourth of the 1913 St. Kilda players to be recognised in the VFL/AFL Centenary Year by being named one of 12 Legends of the game. 99 games for the Saints, 39 goals, the Saints 1918 Best and Fairest winner and Captain in 1920. Cazaly’s professionalism and determined nature, not to mention his high leaping marks, brought further great modelling of success and the way to prepare your body and mind as a VFL footballer to this era at St. Kilda. Cazaly also played 99 games for South Melbourne and coached Hawthorn in 1942 and 1943. Cazaly took the Hawks to the finals in 1943 for the first time in their 19 seasons in the VFL. Cazaly also led the change for Hawthorn to be no longer called the Mayblooms, but renamed as the Hawks.
Cazaly was one of the first to implement and practice the art of ‘Physiotherapy’ using massage and other techniques to enhance the body to continually perform at its best. Cazaly forged out a famous career in Tasmania as a coach and player and was part of the first overseeing board of physiotherapists in Tasmania.
1913 was St. Kilda’s most successful year from 1897 to 1964 and had four men in Roy Cazaly, Vic Armstrong, Wels Eicke and Dave McNamara who were judged over 80 years later to be named as greats of the game over the thousands who played the game from 1897 to 1996. What an achievement by these four St.Kilda pioneers, who helped pave the way for St.Kilda to forge its own history with their efforts during 1913, before and beyond.
All players play their part throughout a season. Below is a brief summary of all players in the St.Kilda 1913 Grand Final team. From 217 gamer, 1913 captain and full back Harry Lever to 10 game Saints rover Algy Millhouse. To controversial and gifted centre Billy Schmidt to goal kicking great and full forward Ernie Sellars. George Morrissey kicked two goals in the grand final. How much does he look like Stephen Milne? All players in 1913 deserve and need to be celebrated and remembered.
As always, or so it seems, there is a what if or could have been story with St. Kilda in a Grand Final.
In the 1913 Grand Final, with the Saints being 25 points down at three quarter time, the Saints rallied a comeback to be within a point of the Lions with minutes to go. The Saints had their chance with a mark to ‘Mons’ Baird in the goal square with the scores two points the difference. Baird remarkably handballed to George Morrissey who kicked hurriedly for a behind (Holmesby Point of It All, p.58,59) making the Saints one point behind. Fitzroy rallied and slammed on two quick goals, leaving the Saints behind at the siren 56 points to the Saints 43 points.
Would McNamara have been the difference in the Saints winning their first flag in 1913? The Saints should have and could have won in 1971, 1997, 2009 and 2010 – all in winning positions in these Grand Finals. How different would the Saints history be with 6 premierships from 7 Grand Finals!
1913 St. Kilda Grand Final Team
Harry Lever (Captain) Full Back (217 games, 6 goals)
Dick Harris (Vice Captain) Back Pocket (28 games, 3 goals)
Roy Cazaly Half Forward (AFL Legend, Best and Fairest 1918, 99 games, 39 goals)
Wels Eicke Half Back (AFL Hall of Fame, Best and Fairest 1914, 1915, 1919, 197 games, 61 goals)
Harry ‘Vic’ Cumberland Ruck (AFL Hall of Fame, 126 games, 72 goals)
Gordon Dangerfield Centre Half Back (159 games, 16 goals)
Herbert ‘Bill’ Woodcock Ruck/Rover (155 games, 48 goals)
George Morrissey Forward Pocket (93 games, 64 goals)
Billy Schmidt Centre (90 games, 67 goals)
Harry Hattam Back Pocket (84 games, 2 goals)
Edward ‘Ted’ Collins Wing (78 games, 27 goals)
Robert ‘Bob’ Bowden Wing (66 games, 0 goals)
Percy Jory Half Forward (60 games, 15 goals)
Reg Ellis Half Back (52 games, 1 goal)
Ernie Sellars Full Forward (Leading goal kicker 1911, 1912, 193, 47 games, 119 goals)
Phillip ‘Pat’ Lynch Centre Half Forward (33 games, 24 goals)
Desmond ‘Mons’ Baird Forward Pocket (31 games, 7 goals)
Algy Millhouse Rover (10 games 5 goals)
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About Mark Tenny
A long time Saints fan, having moved from Aspendale, Melbourne when I was 12 to Adelaide, where I became a Crows member just to watch the Victorian teams play! Although a Saints fan, I am a fan of football just as much. I love hearing and reading the stories of footballers and of their clubs and hope to add to the enjoyment of all football followers my stories, that will hopefully bring a smile to peoples faces.
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An interesting read, Mark. Always good to get this kind of historical detail.
Thanks Kevin. Appreciated.
A very thorough and comprehensive look at what was and what could have been. Well written.
Thanks Mark
Have you mentioned, Mark, that the Sainters hold the (world) record for the number of Wooden Spoons collected in VFL/AFL history.
Yep, 27 Spoons in total. A foundation 1897 club they’ve collected just the single AFL premiership cup and even then only just fell in by a single point.
I remember as a lad growing up in Geelong the conversation in the change rooms after a junior footy match would be: “who are we playing today at Kardinia Park.”
If the answer was ‘the Saints’ we’d consider re-jigging our Saturday arvo. It just wasn;’t going to be a contest and not worthwhile going down to watch.
If the answer was ‘St Kilda’
Harsh Elijah.
And with that hubris, there goes 2020 for the Geelong FC..
Not really, JTH.
As journos we know when not to sugar coat historical look-backs. And certainly not to plump up sad and sorry situations to varnish or embellish them.
I don’t think Catters’ 2020 fortunes would be influenced by articles or comments made on a website. Not even if they appeared on Geelong F.C.’s own website.
Incidentally the under-age footy I was playing in was in the mid-Fifties. Not long after the Pivotonians’ run of three straight grand finals — 1951 to 1953 — for flags in ’51 and ’52.
It was no contest at Kardinia Park in those days unless the opposition was C’wood or The Gliders from Windy Hill. Fitzroy turned out tough, biffo 18s but a bit short on skills.
Hawthorn was a perennial easy beat!
We’re not journos.
Brilliant article, Mark. Yes,1913 was one that got away from St Kilda. Definitely had a chance to win that match in the last quarter. Great to see Roy Cazaly’s name there.
Up there Cazaly, in there and fight
Out there and at’em, show ‘em your might
Up there.Cazaly, don’t let ‘em in
Fly like an angel, you’re out there to win.
Elijah, it doesn’t matter to St Kilda supporters if it was 10 goals or 1 point in the 1966 premiership. Many people have said that beating Collingwood by a point in a Grand Final is better than beating them by 10 goals.
I don’t think too many teams had a winning record against Geelong at Kardinia Park back then.
It’s a real shame Elijah that St Kilda weren’t able to get the number 1 draft pick, which didn’t exist, back in those old wooden spoon days. I’m sure they would have given Geelong a better run for their money at Kardinia Park if they were afforded that luxury.
At least in recent years, Elijah, St Kilda have had the Wood (Mason Wood) over Geelong at Marvel Stadium, which has made St Kilda supporters very happy.
My, my, my Elijah
Why, why, why Elijah
So before you say St Kilda are poor
Believe me Elijah, St Kilda aren’t the laughing stock anymore
Believe me Elijah, St Kilda will start to win more and more.
Anon, St Kilda certainly has had the (Mason)Wood over Geelong at Colonial Stadium in recent times. Four consecutive wins says it all. You also had a decent overall record over Geelong for much of the 1970’s, Kardinia Park holding no fears for your team.
That run at Kardinia Park started in 1969, a year when Geelong were finalists, St. Kilda were not. Geelong held on in a tight match in 1970, then 1971………………………………………………………. Read all about that below.
https://www.footyalmanac.com.au/almanac-footy-history-round-1-1971/
In 1972 Geelong were gallant,but just not strong enough in the final term. Geelong were winless at that time of the season, St.Kilda were in the five, runners up the season prior. In a muddy, wet, 1974 clash Peter Bell kicked 5 to bring the Saints victory. In your wooden spoon season of 1977 you had a good win at Kardinia Park. Since then……
Glen!
Thank you Glen for your comment. Your research and your memory shows it wasn’t all doom and gloom for St Kilda at Kardinia Park.
This article also got me thinking about doing a best St Kilda football team from 1897 to 1964. If any of these players played for other VFL clubs at the time, only their record at St Kilda was acknowledged in the brackets next to their name.
The criteria was that even if that player started playing football at St Kilda in the early 1960s, including 1964, he would be included in the team, provided his whole career turned out well, including the 1966 Grand Final, or in Carl Ditterich’s case, who was suspended for that Grand Final, he still had a good career.
Please note that 1966 premiership heroes Kevin Neale and Barry Breen were ineligible for this team, as their careers started in early 1965.
Some players were played out of position to fit into the team.
This is the best St Kilda team from 1897-1964:
B: Wells Eicke (St K 1909-1924/26), Verdun Howell (St K 1958-68), Bob Murray (St K 1963-74)
HB: Harry Cumberland (St K1903-20), Neil Roberts (St K 1952-62), Alan Morrow (St K 1957-66)
C: Les Foote (St K 33 games 54-55), Ian Stewart (St K 1963-70), Harry Lever (St K 1905-15, 1918-19, 1921-22)
HF: Ian Cooper (St Kilda 1964-69), Darrel Baldock (c) (St K 1962-68), Roy Cazaly (St K 1911-20)
F: Ernie Sellars (St K 1911-13), Bill Mohr (St K 735 goals 1929-41), Dave McNamara (St K 1905-09/14-15/18-19/21-23)
R: Carl Ditterich (St K 1963-72/76-78), Daryl Griffiths (St K 1963-70), Ross Smith (St K 1961-72, 1975)
Coach: Allan Jeans (St K 1955-59, coached St Kilda 1961-76)
This team will play a pretend exhibition match against the best Hawthorn team from 1925-1964, as Hawthorn entered the then VFL in 1925, and although Hawthorn have now won 13 flags to St Kilda’s 1 flag, at the end of 1964 it was Hawthorn with 1 flag to St Kilda’s no flags (of course it was 1 flag all at the end of 1966). This is so that the match could be more even.
The match will be played at the Junction Oval (St Kilda’s main home ground up until the end of 1964).
Entertainment: “Up There Cazaly”, by Mike Brady “Oh When The Saints Go Marching In”, by Louis Armstrong and the rock band The Saints.
Transport: St Kilda Skybus Peninsula Express
Let’s hope for a good game of football where nostalgia is the winner!
Elijah, as you are someone who has taken delight in St Kilda winning 27 wooden spoons, are you aware that St Kilda were deprived of the Mornington Peninsula zone, from 1967, the year after St Kilda won the 1966 premiership?
Elijah, are you aware that in the 1971 Grand Final, St Kilda, in spite of that setback, were still 20 points up at three quarter time against Hawthorn, when it was still 1 premiership all and Hawthorn were the team that were the recipient of St Kilda’s Mornington Peninsula zone.
The point I’m trying to make Elijah is that St Kilda under Allan Jeans, would have won more premierships, had they been able to keep that Mornington Peninsula zone. Other clubs complained after 1966, that St Kilda would have become too good had they been able to keep the Mornington Peninsula zone.
Therefore, Elijah, St Kilda are a club that has been jinxed for a very long time and hopefully Elijah, in the future, their fortune will turn for the better.
Following on from my comment on May 16, 2025, regarding St Kilda’s best team from 1897 to 1964, it got be thinking of doing St Kilda’s best teams from 1965 to 2025. After all, the initial team spanned 67 years and the latest team would cover 60 years.
The older champion players who were still playing for St Kilda up until the late 1960s were included, as long as they were still playing good football from 1965 onwards.
Earlier this year, the best St Kilda team from 1975 to 2025 was named in the “Who’s better out of Rooey, Harvs and Baldock?” article in the FA, but I thought it would be fitting to now include 1965-2025, to continue on from the best St Kilda team from 1897 to 1964.
Please note that in the period 1965 to 2025, it has been St Kilda’s best era including 1 flag in 1966, as well as other Grand Final appearances in 1965, 1971, 1997, 2009, as well as the 2010 Drawn Grand Final and the 2010 Grand Final replay. Only one third of St Kilda’s total wooden spoons have come during 1965 to 2025, including 4 wooden spoons in a row from 1983 to 1986. Let’s hope for St Kilda fans they don’t add to that wooden spoon tally in 2025, having lost last week to the 2025 wooden spoon favourite in West Coast.
As there were many great players to choose from, the selectors have decided to come up with 2 teams, to fit all the players in, and for team balance.
This is the best St Kilda team from 1965 to 2025:
B: Barry Lawrence, Verdun Howell, Bob Murray
HB: Jack Sinclair, Callum Wilkie, Trevor Barker
C: Nicky Winmar, Ian Stewart, Nathan Burke
HF: Darrel Baldock, Nick Riewoldt, Barry Breen
F: Stephen Milne, Tony Lockett, Fraser Gehrig
R: Carl Ditterich, Robert Harvey, Ross Smith
Coach: Allan Jeans
This is the 2nd best St Kilda team from 1965 to 2025:
B: Leigh Montagna, Danny Frawley, Brendon Goddard
HB: Nick Dal Santo, Sam Fisher, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera
C: Aussie Jones, Lenny Hayes, Brad Hill
HF: Ian Cooper, Stewart Loewe, Aaron Hamill
F: Jack Higgins, George Young, Kevin Neale
R: Rowan Marshall, Jack Steele, Jack Steven
Coach: Ross Lyon
These two teams will play a pretend exhibition match against each other at Moorabbin.
Entertainment: “Oh When The Saints Go Marching In”, by Louis Armstrong and the rock band, The Saints. Highlights of St Kilda’s 1966 premiership will be shown on the big screen.
Let’s hope for a good game of football, where the match is played in good spirits and the players not only play, but behave like Saints!
Please note that the selectors have nominated Darrel Baldock as captain of the best St Kilda team from 1965 to 2025 and Danny Frawley has been nominated as captain of the 2nd best St Kilda team from 1965 to 2025.
Transport for any players arriving from interstate will be a plane to Moorabbin Airport. The St Kilda Skybus Peninsula Express will be another option.
St Kilda members and supporters will be admitted free to the match. The Animal Enclosure will be reopened for the game, but supporters are requested to be respectful to the umpires, who will be Leigh Fisher (Current AFL Field Umpire 196 games 2013-present/St K 55 games 2003-2010) and Jimmy Smith (St K 130 games 1899-1906, 1908-09/Coached St Kilda 49 games 1909, 1915, 1918/VFL Field Umpire 33 games 1907-08, 1910/VFL Boundary Umpire 2 games 1907).
Stewie Trott?
Glen!
Yes, good pick up Glen.
The selectors have decided that Stuart Trott will replace Brad Hill on the wing for St Kilda’s second best team from 1965 to 2025. Although it was a difficult decision, it was decided that Trott’s record for St Kilda was better, having played in the 1971 Grand Final and he was inducted into St Kilda’s Hall of Fame in 2016.
Brad Hill will now go to the interchange bench for that team. Joining him on the interchange bench will be Jeff Sarau, Greg Burns and Geoff Cunningham because those players performed consistently well for St Kilda during a period where the team was hardly winning any matches.
The selectors have also decided to put Brian Sierakowski, Daryl Griffiths, Brian Mynott and Callum Wilkie on the interchange bench for the best St Kilda team from 1965 to 2025.
Ian Synman will replace Callum Wilkie at centre half back for that best team.
Geez Stewy Loewe is stiff to be in the 2’s Anon! Great lineups though. Cheers
Thanks Ian. Another great pick up from you.
In the “Who’s better out of Rooey, Harvs and Baldock?” article, in the best St Kilda team of the last 50 years from 1975 to 2025, I mentioned Stewart Loewe in that team at centre half forward, with Nick Riewoldt, on the half forward flank, as Riewoldt was more mobile.
I could have easily done the same thing with the best St Kilda team of the last 60 years, but I just thought for team balance, it was hard to leave the others out. Nick Riewoldt’s record was fantastic and could play at centre half forward, with Barry Breen on the half forward flank. Breen could also play in defence, so was more versatile than Loewe. Maybe I also wanted to reward Breen for kicking the winning point for St Kilda in the 1966 Grand Final, but he was a very good player, having played 300 games.
Also, Riewoldt averaged more than 2 goals per game for St Kilda and was very mobile with a great work ethic, whereas Loewe averaged less than 2 goals per game. I tried to find a place for Loewe in the best St Kilda team from 1965 to 2025, but Fraser Gehrig averaged more than 2 goals per game for St Kilda and he could also play in defence. Obviously, Baldock and Lockett have to stay in the best team as forwards, even if Baldock was more versatile.
As for Stephen Milne, he also averaged over 2 goals per game for St Kilda, and for team balance, a small forward was needed.
Personally, I also thought Kevin Neale was unlucky to miss out for selection in the best St Kilda team of the last 60 years. Although he was versatile in that he could play ruck, back pocket and full forward and was a premiership hero kicking 5 goals in the 1966 Grand Final for St Kilda, I thought that the others named in the 18, had better claims, and once again, it was for team balance.
Having said that, I have decided to put both Kevin Neale and Stewart Loewe on the interchange bench for the best St Kilda team of the last 60 years along with Callum Wilkie and Daryl Griffiths. Brian Mynott and Brian Sierakowski can therefore replace Geoff Cunningham and Jeff Sarau on the interchange bench for the 2nd best St Kilda team of the last 60 years.
It’s possible that if you asked another 5 St Kilda supporters their best St Kilda team/s from 1965 to 2025, you could get different teams altogether, but who knows. It’s simply a matter of opinion.
The selectors have decided to redo the best St Kilda team from 1965 to 2025, due to the continual improvement of Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera. It was also decided to leave out Bob Murray and Verdun Howell from this team, as they were previously included in the best St Kilda team from 1897-1964.
Apart from Murray and Howell being left out, both teams may also look weaker on paper, as interchange players, subs and emergencies have now been named for both teams.
Having looked at Stewart Loewe’s overall career achievements at St Kilda compared to Barry Breen, it was decided that Loewe should be in the starting 18 at centre half forward. As Nick Riewoldt is more mobile than Stewart Loewe, Riewoldt can play on the half forward flank.
Sam Fisher has swapped places with Callum Wilkie at centre half back for the best St Kilda team from 1965 to 2025, as Fisher’s overall career record at St Kilda is slightly better than Wilkie’s. However, Wilkie will still be on the interchange for the best team.
This is the amended best St Kilda team from 1965 to 2025:
B: Barry Lawrence, Kevin Neale, Trevor Barker
HB: Jack Sinclair, Sam Fisher, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera
C: Nicky Winmar, Ian Stewart, Nathan Burke
HF: Darrel Baldock (c), Stewart Loewe, Nick Riewoldt
F: Stephen Milne, Tony Lockett, Fraser Gherig
R: Carl Ditterich, Robert Harvey, Ross Smith
Interchange: Lenny Hayes, Rowan Marshall, Brendon Goddard, Callum Wilkie
Sub: Barry Breen
Emergencies: Jeff Sarau, Aaron Hamill, Jack Steven, Jack Steele
This is the amended 2nd best St Kilda team from 1965 to 2025:
B: Jeff Dunne, Danny Frawley (c), Jason Blake
HB: Nick Dal Santo, Ian Synman, Leigh Montagna
C: Stuart Trott, Glen Elliott, Aussie Jones
HF: Ian Cooper, Max King, Jack Higgins
F: Allan Davis, George Young, Justin Koschitzke
R: Brian Mynott, Luke Ball, Bruce Duperouzel
Interchange: Greg Burns, Mitch Owens, Seb Ross, Brian Sierakowski
Sub: Geoff Cunningham
Emergencies: Justin Peckett, Sam Gilbert, Ben McEvoy, Gary Colling
It’s been brought to my attention that Daryl Griffiths has been left out. This was an oversight.
Griffiths will now be the ruck rover for St Kilda’s 2nd best team from 1965 to 2025. Luke Ball will now be the rover for that team.
Bruce Duperouzel has been demoted to the interchange bench for that 2nd best team, with Brian Sierakowski now named as the sub. Geoff Cunningham has been omitted and named as one of the emergencies.
Brian Sierakowski will also handle any legal issues associated with St Kilda, especially with the Tribunal.
Max Hudghton being left out was another oversight for the 2nd best team. Jason Heatley has also been rewarded for his accurate goal kicking.
This is the amended 2nd best St Kilda team from 1965 to 2025:
B: Jeff Dunne, Danny Frawley, Max Hudghton
HB: Nick Dal Santo, Ian Synman, Leigh Montagna
C: Stuart Trott, Glenn Elliott, Aussie Jones
HF: Ian Cooper, Max King, Jack Higgins
F: Allan Davis, George Young, Jason Heatley
R: Justin Koschitzke, Daryl Griffiths, Luke Ball
Interchange: Jason Blake, Justin Peckett, Bruce Duperouzel, Greg Burns
Sub: Mitch Owens
Emergencies: Brian Mynott, Gary Colling, Geoff Cunningham, Brian Sierakowski, Ben McEvoy, Sam Gilbert
Leaving out Brad Hill was another oversight.
Brad Hill will replace Justin Peckett on the interchange bench for the 2nd best St Kilda team from 1965 to 2025.
Justin Peckett will now join the long list of emergencies for that team, as Mitch Owens is better suited to being the sub, due to his versatility.
IMHO best St Kilda team from 1965 to 2025:
B: Head, Murray Sierakowksi
HB: Howell, Synman, Bingley
C: Moran, Stewart, Read
HF: Breen, Baldock, Cooper
F: Davis, Neale, Morrow
R: Mynott, Griffith, Smith
IC: Billing, Payze
Congratulations on the brilliant match winning performance and after the final siren goal from Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera for St Kilda in beating Melbourne yesterday from 46 points down at three quarter time to win by 6 ponts.
Let’s hope St Kilda can keep him at the club for next year and beyond. If St Kilda are fortunate enough for that to happen, as well as keeping Marshall, and getting players from next year of the calibre of TDK and Leek Aleer, as well as continual improvement from the younger elite players and others, then a St Kilda flag by 2030 is a reality.
Things can change quickly, when you consider that Adelaide finished 15th on the ladder in 2024, and they are currently 2nd on the ladder, after 19 rounds in 2025, and are currently equal premiership favourites.
My oh my, Nasiah
You are St Kilda’s Messiah
So before you think of walking out the door
Believe me Nasiah, your teammates want you to be paid more and more
Believe me Nasiah, a flag at St Kilda is a reality once more!