What Is 2017 St Kilda Football Club season

Overview

The 2017 AFL season marked another challenging year for the St Kilda Football Club, as the team struggled to find consistency and remained outside the top eight. Competing in their 121st season since the club's founding in 1897, the Saints finished in 16th position on the ladder with just seven wins from 22 matches.

Under the leadership of senior coach Alan Richardson, who was in his fourth season, the team showed moments of promise but ultimately failed to break through to the finals series for the seventh consecutive year. Despite strong individual performances, particularly from midfielders and defenders, the club’s offensive output and defensive lapses proved costly throughout the season.

• Record: The Saints posted a 7–15 win–loss record, their worst performance since 2014, highlighting ongoing development challenges.
• Home Ground: St Kilda played home games at Etihad Stadium, averaging 29,367 fans per match, a 4.2% decrease from 2016.
• Scoring: The team averaged 77.8 points per game, ranking 17th in the league for points scored.
• Defensive Output: They conceded 89.6 points per game on average, placing 13th in defensive efficiency.
• Season Highlight: A Round 18 victory over West Coast by 13 points stood out as a rare win against a top-tier side.

How It Works

The structure of the AFL season determines team performance, finals qualification, and draft positioning—each outcome influenced by wins, losses, and percentage calculations. For St Kilda in 2017, the season unfolded under these competitive mechanics, shaping their trajectory.

• Regular Season: The AFL competition consists of 22 rounds; St Kilda played 11 home and 11 away games, finishing with 7 wins.
• Finals Qualification: Only the top eight teams qualify; St Kilda’s 16th-place finish ruled them out for the seventh straight year.
• Player Rotation: Injuries affected key players, with Jack Billings missing five games due to hamstring issues.
• Coaching Strategy: Alan Richardson emphasized defensive structure, but midfield inefficiency limited on-field success.
• Draft Implications: A low finish secured St Kilda the fifth overall pick in the 2017 National Draft.
• Trade Period: The club made minimal moves, selecting draft picks over high-profile trades to rebuild long-term.

Comparison at a Glance

St Kilda’s 2017 performance is best understood when compared to other mid-to-lower-tier teams in the AFL. The table below outlines key statistics against similar clubs.

This comparison shows that while St Kilda outperformed the struggling Gold Coast Suns, they lagged behind rivals like Melbourne and North Melbourne, who secured top-half finishes. Their scoring inefficiency and inconsistent defense were key differentiators.

Why It Matters

Understanding the 2017 season is crucial for assessing St Kilda’s long-term rebuild and strategic direction in the AFL. The year reinforced the need for stronger recruitment and player development.

• Rebuilding Phase: The season confirmed St Kilda was in a prolonged rebuild, prioritizing youth over immediate success.
• Draft Capital: Securing pick #5 allowed selection of young talent like Josh Deledio, though he did not join the club.
• Leadership: Captain Jarryn Geary and vice-captain Dylan Roberton provided stability amid team-wide inconsistency.
• Coaching Pressure: Richardson faced growing scrutiny, eventually leading to his departure in 2019 after continued poor results.
• Supporter Base: Despite losses, fan loyalty remained strong, with home crowds averaging nearly 30,000 per game.
• Future Outlook: The 2017 season laid groundwork for future changes, culminating in a coaching reset and list overhaul in 2020.

The 2017 campaign was a transitional year that underscored both the challenges and long-term vision facing St Kilda Football Club in the modern AFL era.