ST KILDA
Position: 13th (6-14-1)
Last season: 18th (4-18)
Players used: 38
Personnel changes: Stability is not something readily associated with St Kilda, but 2015 has been a remarkably stable year at the Saints. There was change in the off-season, though, with Saints head of football Chris Pelchen resigning after a lengthy review of the club's football department. In his place came former national cricket selector Jamie Cox, who has overseen a positive year at Seaford, in which the club extended coach Alan Richardson's contract for a further two seasons until the end of 2018. St Kilda also moved closer to a seemingly inevitable move back to Moorabbin after governments at local and state levels pledged sums to a new revamp, which would also have community benefits.
Out the door: Veteran Adam Schneider did very well to come off the rookie list and become a senior regular, but called it a day after 14 seasons at the top level. Most of the other experienced Saints will be sticking around, although Farren Ray's future is unclear with offers elsewhere exceeding the one-year deal St Kilda have put on the table. There had been high hopes for Arryn Siposs and Spencer White, but for a variety of reasons neither has developed into what would have been hoped, and both appear to be in danger of being without contracts for 2016.
What went right: A fair bit. Coming off a very low base, and the consensus pick for the wooden spoon, the Saints have made tangible progress with 2½ more wins than last year. More telling has been the side's percentage improving by more than 20 per cent, proof of St Kilda's increased competitiveness most weeks. Central to the rise from the bottom has been the sudden stardom of inside midfielder David Armitage, who will come into All-Australian contention on the back of a breakout campaign. His partner in crime has been Jack Steven, who has returned to his form of two seasons ago after an injury-marred 2014. Far and away the biggest success story was Josh Bruce, who bettered two goals a game as a key forward after just seven in his career prior to 2015. The smarts of first-season goal sneak Jack Lonie, the improvement of ruckman Billy Longer, and the resurgence of defender Dylan Roberton have also been noteworthy. And injuries. The Saints were fortunate to keep most of their key personnel on the park for the bulk of the year.
What went wrong: Key defender Luke Delaney was found out in his second year at the club, and has found himself back at Sandringham. Midfielder Luke Dunstan has been one of a handful across the league to suffer from "second-year blues" after a standout 2014. Ahmed Saad's comeback hasn't amounted to any great heights, while Siposs and Daniel Markworth were denied fair cracks at pivotal seasons in the context of their respective careers due to shoulder issues.
Shining lights: Armitage, Steven, Bruce, Roberton.
What's required to improve in 2016: The club's glut of recent early draft picks must continue to develop after none had a standout year. There would be hopes in particular that Jack Billings can repeat consistently the form he showed in the round six win over the Western Bulldogs. The Saints will hope to see a bit more from No.1 pick Paddy McCartin, too, after an indifferent first year.
The headline we didn't expect: Hird in trouble after Saints shellacking.
Grade: Expectations comfortably exceeded, St Kilda deserve credit, but the trend must continue next year. C+.
