What Is 2018 St Kilda Football Club season

Overview

The 2018 St Kilda Football Club season marked the club's 122nd year of competition in the Australian Football League (AFL). Competing under senior coach Alan Richardson, the Saints struggled for consistency, finishing the home-and-away season in 13th place with a 7–15 record.

Despite flashes of promising performances, particularly in close contests, the team failed to secure a finals berth for the eighth consecutive season. Mid-season leadership changes and injuries to key players contributed to an underwhelming campaign that ultimately led to significant post-season coaching changes.

• Final ladder position: The Saints finished 13th out of 18 teams with 7 wins and 15 losses, failing to qualify for the finals series.
• Home ground: All home games were played at Marvel Stadium, with the largest crowd of 49,113 attending the Round 2 clash against Collingwood.
• Coaching change:Alan Richardson was sacked after Round 19 following a 1–6 start to the season; assistant coach Darren Glass took over as caretaker.
• Captaincy:Jarryn Geary served as club captain, supported by vice-captain Jack Steele, who emerged as one of the team's most consistent performers.
• Best and Fairest: Jack Steele won the 2018 Trevor Barker Award as the club's best player, polling 232 votes, ahead of Dan Butler and Seb Ross.

Performance & Season Dynamics

The 2018 season was defined by narrow losses and missed opportunities, with St Kilda losing eight games by less than 20 points. Several key players stepped up, but defensive lapses and poor kicking efficiency undermined overall results.

• Close losses: The Saints lost eight matches by 20 points or fewer, highlighting their inability to close out tight contests, especially in the final quarter.
• Kicking efficiency: St Kilda ranked 17th in scoring efficiency, converting only 47.6% of inside 50s into scores, a major factor in their low win tally.
• Injury setbacks: Key players like Zach Dawson and Dylan Roberton missed significant time due to injury and health issues, disrupting defensive continuity.
• Mid-season draft: The club selected Max King with pick No. 4 in the 2018 Mid-Season Rookie Draft, a move seen as pivotal for future forward depth.
• Goalkicking:Brad Crouch led the club with 23 goals, while Max King added 12 in just 10 games after his mid-season debut.
• Disposals leader:Jack Steele averaged 26.4 disposals per game, finishing third in the league for total tackles and demonstrating elite work rate.

Comparison at a Glance

St Kilda's 2018 season can be better understood by comparing key performance metrics to the previous year and the eventual premiers, West Coast Eagles.

The data shows a decline in offensive output and efficiency compared to 2017, while defensive performance regressed significantly. The gap between St Kilda and the top teams like West Coast highlighted structural and execution issues that persisted throughout the season.

Why It Matters

The 2018 season was a turning point for St Kilda, prompting a major rebuild both on and off the field. Poor results and fan dissatisfaction led to sweeping changes in coaching and list management, setting the stage for future reforms.

• Coaching overhaul: Alan Richardson's departure ended a five-year tenure, making way for Darin Ackerman as interim coach and eventually Scott Watters in 2019.
• Player development: The emergence of Max King and Rowan Marshall signaled a shift toward younger, more athletic forwards and rucks.
• Recruitment strategy: The club prioritized drafting and developing talent, exemplified by selections like Isaac Heeney in later years.
• Fan engagement: Declining attendance and media criticism pressured the club to improve transparency and on-field excitement.
• Long-term impact: The 2018 season underscored the need for cultural change, influencing the appointment of Justin Plapp as CEO in 2020.
• Legacy: Despite the poor record, the season laid groundwork for future competitiveness, culminating in a finals return in 2023.

Ultimately, 2018 was a painful but necessary chapter in St Kilda's journey to rebuild credibility and competitiveness in the modern AFL landscape.