{"id":415484,"date":"2026-01-15T21:44:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-15T21:44:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/415484\/"},"modified":"2026-01-15T21:44:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T21:44:10","slug":"selecting-every-afl-teams-best-23-for-2026-st-kilda-saints-afl-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/415484\/","title":{"rendered":"Selecting every AFL team\u2019s best 23 for 2026: St Kilda Saints – AFL News"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The Saints have undergone a period of significant list upheaval since the reappointment of Ross Lyon<\/a> at the conclusion of the 2022 season. A heavy draft focus characterised his first few seasons back at the helm. Still, in keeping with an aggressive, club-wide focus on recapturing relevance, the Saints pivoted to procuring established talent in the most recent off-season.<\/p>\n

These signings signalled an internal belief that the storied club are ready for a genuine flag tilt in the immediate future. Is this the side prepared to break through and claim Lyon and the Saints an elusive premiership?<\/p>\n

Here’s the best 23 that might run out in the candy stripe guernsey in 2026\u2026<\/p>\n

Defenders<\/p>\n

The Lyon-coached sides are in the habit of being miserly in defence, and this line, bolstered by the acquisition of a reinvented Jack Silvagni<\/a>, will look to carry that mantle. The former Blue was a shining light for Carlton last season, when fit, and will look to carry that form to his new club.<\/p>\n

Habitual All-Australian squad member Callum Wilkie<\/a> is one of Lyon’s most reliable magnets, and will only benefit from Silvagni’s defection.\u00a0<\/p>\n

On the half-back line, running machines and classy distributors Brad Hill and Jack Sinclair<\/a> will flank rising star Alix Tauru, who will be looking to build on an eye-catching first season.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The balance of archetypes in this backline promises to make scoring against the Saints a tall order, while prohibiting score launches from this zone will need to be a focus for opposing forwards.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"JackJack Silvagni in his new colours. Credit. St Kilda Football Club
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