What Is 2007 St Kilda Football Club season

Overview

The 2007 AFL season marked a significant resurgence for the St Kilda Football Club under first-year senior coach Ross Lyon. After years of mid-table finishes, the Saints posted a 14–8 win-loss record, securing 4th place on the ladder and earning a double chance in the finals series.

The team showed dramatic improvement in both defensive structure and consistent scoring, becoming one of the league’s most balanced sides. Their campaign culminated in a dramatic finals run that brought them close to a Grand Final berth for the first time since 1997.

• 14 wins and 8 losses: This record gave St Kilda 56 premiership points, enough for 4th place on the AFL ladder, their highest finish since 2004.
• Qualifying Final victory: On September 8, 2007, St Kilda defeated minor premiers Geelong by a single point (15.13, 103 to 15.12, 102) in a thriller at Docklands Stadium.
• Preliminary Final exit: The Saints were defeated by Geelong the following week, 18.16 (124) to 8.13 (61), ending their premiership hopes.
• Ross Lyon’s impact: In his debut season as senior coach, Lyon transformed St Kilda’s defensive discipline, reducing average points conceded from 95 to 77 per game.
• Home attendance: The club averaged 45,612 fans per home game, ranking 4th in the AFL for home crowd attendance.

Performance & Finals Campaign

The 2007 season was defined by St Kilda’s ability to win tight, low-scoring contests and maintain consistency throughout the home-and-away season. Their finals series showcased both resilience and vulnerability against elite opposition.

• Round 14 victory: A 36-point win over Sydney at the MCG helped solidify their top-four credentials during a crucial stretch of the season.
• Defensive strength: St Kilda conceded the 2nd-fewest points in the league (1,242 total), behind only Geelong, highlighting their disciplined backline.
• Key players: Lenny Hayes (29 games, 18 goals) won the Trevor Barker Award as club best and fairest, while Matthew Scarlett and Justin Koschitzke provided offensive firepower.
• Set-shot accuracy: The team struggled with goal-kicking efficiency, ranking 15th in percentage despite strong defensive metrics.
• Geelong rivalry: The Saints played Geelong three times in 2007, splitting the series 1–1 in the regular season and 1–1 in finals.
• Finals experience: Only a handful of players had prior Grand Final experience, which may have impacted composure in high-pressure moments.

Comparison at a Glance

St Kilda’s 2007 season compared favorably to recent years and their primary rivals in terms of ladder position and statistical performance.

This comparison shows St Kilda’s clear upward trajectory under new leadership. While Geelong dominated statistically and ultimately won the premiership, St Kilda closed the gap significantly from their 2006 performance, particularly in defensive efficiency and finals qualification.

Why It Matters

The 2007 season was a turning point for St Kilda, re-establishing them as genuine premiership contenders after a decade of underachievement. It laid the foundation for sustained success in the following years, including a Grand Final appearance in 2010.

• Coaching legacy: Ross Lyon’s appointment proved pivotal, setting a new standard for defensive organization in the modern AFL era.
• Player development: Young talents like Nick Riewoldt and Leigh Montagna matured into leaders during this season.
• Finals credibility: Reaching the preliminary final restored fan confidence and increased membership by 18% the following year.
• Strategic shift: The team embraced a low-risk, high-pressure game style that influenced other clubs’ tactical approaches.
• Commercial growth: Improved on-field performance led to increased sponsorship and merchandise sales.
• Historical context: It was the Saints’ best season since 1997 and marked the beginning of a four-year period of consistent finals football.

The 2007 campaign remains a benchmark season for St Kilda, symbolizing resilience, transformation, and the promise of future success.