What Is 1966 St Kilda Football Club season

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1966 St Kilda Football Club season marked the club's 65th in the VFL, finishing 4th with 13 wins and 9 losses, and reaching the Grand Final for the first time in 48 years, losing to Collingwood by 7 points.

Key Facts

St Kilda finished 4th in the 1966 VFL ladder with 13 wins and 9 losses
The club reached the Grand Final for the first time since 1913
St Kilda lost the 1966 Grand Final to Collingwood by 7 points
The Grand Final was played on October 1, 1966, at the MCG
Barry Breen kicked the winning goal in the preliminary final against Carlton

Overview

The 1966 St Kilda Football Club season was a landmark year in the club's history, representing its 65th season in the Victorian Football League (VFL). After decades of near-misses and underperformance, St Kilda emerged as a genuine premiership contender under coach Allan Jeans, reaching the Grand Final for the first time since 1913.

The Saints combined disciplined defense with opportunistic scoring, led by stars like Bob Skilton, Ross Smith, and Barry Breen. Their journey culminated in a dramatic Grand Final appearance, though they ultimately fell short against a determined Collingwood side in front of 102,009 fans at the MCG.

13 wins and 9 losses gave St Kilda fourth place on the ladder, securing a double chance in the finals series.
The club reached the Grand Final on October 1, 1966, ending a 53-year drought since their previous appearance.
St Kilda defeated Carlton by 1 point in the preliminary final, with Barry Breen kicking the winning goal after the siren.
Coach Allan Jeans, in only his second season, implemented a structured, team-first approach that transformed the club’s culture.
Key players included Ross Smith, who won the Brownlow Medal in 1967, and John Schultz, a dominant ruckman.

How It Works

The 1966 season showcased how strategic coaching, team cohesion, and clutch performances in finals could elevate a historically underperforming club. St Kilda’s success stemmed from a balanced team structure and disciplined game plan that maximized individual talents.

Team Structure: St Kilda employed a balanced six-two-eight formation, emphasizing defensive stability and quick transitions to attack.
Coach Allan Jeans: His leadership emphasized fitness, discipline, and mental toughness, transforming the club’s losing culture into one of resilience.
Barry Breen’s Preliminary Final Goal: With seconds remaining against Carlton, Breen kicked a set shot after the siren to win by one point, one of the most iconic moments in VFL history.
Grand Final Performance: Despite leading at halftime, St Kilda was outplayed in the final quarters, scoring only 2.6 to Collingwood’s 4.5 in the second half.
Player Rotation: The club used a tight 18-man rotation, relying on consistency rather than frequent changes, which built strong on-field chemistry.
Defensive Discipline: Under captain John Heathcote, the backline conceded only 93.5 points per game during the home-and-away season, among the league’s best.

Comparison at a Glance

St Kilda’s 1966 season compared closely with other top teams in the VFL, particularly in ladder position and finals performance.

Team	Wins	Losses	Finals Result	Grand Final Margin
St Kilda	13	9	Runner-up	Lost by 7 points
Collingwood	14	8	Champions	Won by 7 points
Carlton	13	9	Preliminary Final	Lost by 1 point
Geelong	11	11	Third	Did not qualify
Hawthorn	10	12	Fourth	Did not qualify

This table highlights how narrowly St Kilda missed premiership glory—finishing equal second in wins with Carlton but advancing further due to superior percentage and finals execution. The one-point win over Carlton in the preliminary final proved decisive in their path to the Grand Final.

Why It Matters

The 1966 season remains a pivotal chapter in St Kilda’s history, symbolizing both breakthrough success and heartbreaking near-miss. It laid the foundation for future competitiveness and remains a touchstone for fans reflecting on the club’s journey.

It was the first Grand Final appearance for St Kilda since 1913, ending a 53-year wait for a finals decider.
The season elevated Allan Jeans as one of the VFL’s most respected coaches, later leading Hawthorn to multiple premierships.
Barry Breen’s after-the-siren goal became a legendary moment in Australian football folklore.
St Kilda’s defensive record in 1966 set a benchmark for future teams aiming to build from the back.
The loss by 7 points underscored the fine margins in elite sport, with just a few plays deciding premiership outcomes.
Despite not winning, the 1966 campaign gave fans hope and pride, reshaping the club’s identity for decades to come.

Though St Kilda has not won a premiership since entering the VFL in 1897, the 1966 season remains their closest and most celebrated attempt, a testament to resilience and near-greatness in Australian rules football history.