A lot has been said about St Kilda’s lack of quality in their midfield. But is that all about to change? And is the change coming from within? Is the dawning of a new age closer than most pundits think?
Let’s take a bit of a deep dive into some stats. I’ve selected four St Kilda mids under the age of 24, who have played less than 70 games, which is often a marker used to see if a player has got “what it takes”. The minimum amount of games played is 23, and that’s by Darcy Wilson. Mattaes Phillipou, Ryan Byrnes and Marcus Windhager make up the quartet. Do keep in mind when looking at these stats, that these players have had several games as subs, and have played in the forward line as well as the midfield.
We’re going to compare these four St Kilda players to two AFL stars, one in the twilight of his career, and one starting to hit his prime: Patrick Dangerfield and Zak Butters.
Marcus Windhager breaks away from Jarrod Berry. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Darcy Wilson has played 23 games, just enough of a sample size. He averages 15.3 touches and 2.1 tackles. What was Dangerfield and Butters’ stats at exactly the same stage of their careers? Dangerfield was at 11.2 touches with 2.1 tackles, and Butters was 14.1 touches with 2.56 tackles. One can comfortably argue that Darcy Wilson at this stage of his career is matching both Patrick and Zak.
Let’s look at the other three Saints. Phillipou at 23 games averaged 12.82 disposals and 2.34 tackles (above Dangerfield, below Butters). Byrnes was at 14.78 touches, with 1.78 tackles, clearly ahead of both Patrick and Zak. Lastly, Windhager, who came in above Patrick, but below Zak, was averaging 11.39 touches, and 1.95 tackles.
In essence, these four young Saints were either outperforming or on par with a Brownlow medallist and a two-time All Australian at the 23-game stage of their careers.
Now, two of these St Kilda players have played over 50 games: Windhager, and Byrnes. Let’s look at their 50-game stats.
Windhager increased his disposals and tackles to average 15.34 touches and 3.12 tackles. Byrnes, who unfortunately was sub/subbed four times between game 24 and game 50, treaded water stats-wise, but had a major growth spurt at the end of 2024. After 50 games, it was still a respectable 14.26, with 1.8 tackles.
(Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
At 50 games, Butters was averaging 15.96 touches and 2.56 tackles (very comparable to Windy) and Dangerfield was 14.56 disposals and 2.4 tackles (below Windhager but only just ahead of Byrnes).
With the experienced Jackson Macrae to lend a hand, alongside Jack Steele, Zak Jones and Hunter Clark when fully fit, these youngsters could become anything.
Throw in Mitch Owens as a Goodes-style hybrid bull, Dow and Henry as solid depth, and a pack of hungry youth led by Garcia, Hastie, Carroll, Hall and co., and I think the AFL world may have underestimated our midfield. And to be honest, that suits me just fine.
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