What Is 2021 St Kilda Football Club season

Overview

The 2021 St Kilda Football Club season marked the club’s 125th year of competition in the Australian Football League (AFL). Competing under senior coach Brett Ratten, the Saints aimed to return to the finals after missing out in 2020, but ultimately fell short with a middling performance.

Playing home games at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, the team showed flashes of promise but struggled with consistency across the 18-game season. Despite strong individual performances, particularly from captain Jack Steele, the club could not string together enough wins to challenge for September football.

• Season record: The Saints finished the 2021 AFL home-and-away season with a 7–11 win-loss record, placing them 13th on the ladder and well outside the top eight.
• Coach: Brett Ratten remained in charge for his second full season, under pressure to deliver finals football after a promising 2020 campaign that ended in a preliminary final loss.
• Home ground: Marvel Stadium hosted all home games, with an average attendance of 18,429, though crowds were impacted by periodic lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Captain: Jack Steele won his second consecutive Trevor Barker Award as Best and Fairest, averaging 29.1 disposals per game and leading the club in tackles and clearances.
• Key departure: Former star Jade Gresham was traded to Gold Coast at the end of the season, marking the end of a nine-year tenure with the club.

Performance & Season Timeline

The 2021 campaign was defined by inconsistency, with St Kilda often competitive but unable to close out tight matches. Several losses by narrow margins highlighted issues in game management and defensive structure.

• Round 1: St Kilda opened the season with a 33-point win over North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium, giving fans early optimism after a strong 2020 finish.
• Mid-season slump: From Round 5 to Round 12, the team lost 7 of 8 games, including defeats to top-eight sides like Melbourne and Port Adelaide.
• Jack Steele’s leadership: The co-captain played all 18 games, recording over 30 disposals in 10 matches and finishing third in the league for total clearances.
• Defensive issues: The backline conceded an average of 78.6 points per game, the 10th-best in the league, but struggled against high-octane offenses.
• Young talent: Midfielder James Frawley retired mid-season, while emerging players like Bradley Hill and Luke Dunstan showed flashes of form despite injury setbacks.
• Final round: The season concluded with a 23-point loss to Fremantle in Perth, confirming their absence from the finals series for the second year running.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of St Kilda’s 2021 season against key statistical benchmarks from the previous year and league averages.

The data shows a clear decline from 2020, particularly in scoring output and consistency. While St Kilda remained competitive in tackles and pressure acts, their reduced offensive efficiency and lower scoring output contributed to their ladder drop. Attendance also declined due to pandemic-related restrictions in Victoria, affecting matchday revenue and fan engagement.

Why It Matters

The 2021 season was a pivotal moment in St Kilda’s rebuild, raising questions about coaching direction and list management. Failing to capitalize on a promising 2020 campaign had long-term implications for team morale and strategic planning.

• Coaching scrutiny: Brett Ratten’s future came under discussion after two seasons without finals, despite an initial strong start to his tenure.
• List turnover: The trade of Jade Gresham signaled a shift toward youth, with the club gaining draft capital to rebuild the midfield.
• Development focus: Young players like Connor Rozee and Josh Battle were given extended opportunities, highlighting a focus on long-term growth over immediate results.
• Financial impact: Missing finals reduced broadcast and prize revenue, affecting the club’s financial outlook in a constrained AFL economy.
• Fan engagement: Declining on-field performance and attendance led to reduced merchandise sales and lower TV ratings for home games.
• Rebuilding phase: The season reinforced the need for improved recruitment and player development to return to consistent competitiveness in future years.

Ultimately, the 2021 season served as a reality check for St Kilda, underscoring the challenges of sustaining success in a highly competitive league. While the foundation for future growth was laid, the club faced an uphill battle to regain its place among AFL’s elite teams.