St Kilda’s VFL Side Set for Historic Return to Linton St
St Kilda is preparing for a significant moment in its history as its VFL side returns to play at Linton St, the traditional home ground of the club, after 25 years. This marks a special occasion for fans and players alike, with the Saints’ VFL team aiming to secure their first win of the season against Richmond.
The match will feature 11 AFL-listed players, showcasing the club’s commitment to integrating its development squad with its senior team. This game also represents a milestone for the club’s newly launched state league side, which will be wearing its traditional guernsey for the first time. Previously, the team had worn the candy stripes in its two matches so far.
VFL coach Brendon Goddard highlighted the significance of this event, noting that it brings back many memories for long-time supporters. “It’s a historic moment for the footy club,” he said. “I still get reminded about the old animal enclosure at Moorabbin, and there are so many memories that supporters have got.”
Goddard also mentioned that assistant coach Simon Williams has many stories from his childhood, when he used to run around at Saints home games. While these stories add to the excitement, Goddard emphasized that the focus remains on the game itself.
Encouraging Fan Support
With the AFL side having a bye, the club is encouraging fans to come out and support the VFL team. Entry to the game will be free on Sunday and throughout the season, with several facilities such as the Linton St Cafe, Sanctum, and Saints Locker open for visitors.
The Saints have faced some challenges in the early part of the season. In Round 1, they suffered a heavy loss to GWS, with a lightning delay interrupting the match. In their next fixture, they struggled against Frankston at the Kinetic Stadium, where they had to play catch-up for most of the game.
Despite these setbacks, Goddard remains optimistic about the team’s progress. “We’ll stay in the moment and want to continue to improve in the areas we’re focusing on,” he said. “We want to give effort and play our way for as long as possible. There will be ebbs and flows, but as a whole, we want to be really competitive.”
Key Players and Development
Several players have shown promise this season. Second-year AFL Saint James Barrat delivered his best VFL performance yet, keeping experienced forward Corey Ellison goalless. Eamon Armstrong has also made notable progress in his short time with the club.
Kye Fincher returned after being managed last week, while Liam Stocker, Dan Butler, Hunter Clark, Isaac Keeler, Angus Hastie, Pat Said, Liam O’Connell, and Hugh Boxshall were also named from the AFL list.
Goddard emphasized the importance of having full autonomy across all fields, ensuring that the messaging around game plans, culture, and expectations aligns with the AFL team. “Having full autonomy has been really important this year,” he said. “It just felt right to head down that path (of fielding our own team) and it was the best thing for our program.”
Young and Aspiring Team
The VFL list lacks experience, with skipper Billy McGee-Galimberti being the most experienced player at the level with 30 games. However, the team is filled with exciting young talents, including half-back Blake Chambers and forward Oskar Ainsworth, who both trialed for an AFL list spot.
Bailey McKenzie has started the season strongly, while Jayden Davey stood out in Round 2 with five goals. The average age of the list in the first fortnight has been just over 20 years, influencing the club’s strategy and messaging.
“We’re conscious of developing young guys with AFL traits who are aspirational,” Goddard said. “Winning is a big part, but the development of players and helping them get better is probably most important.”
Lineup and Match Details
McGee-Galimberti will lead out the red, white, and black after recovering from a minor calf injury, while emerging forward Jonah Campigli will miss the game due to a shoulder injury sustained in Round 2.
The first ball up is scheduled for 1:05 pm, marking the start of what promises to be an exciting and memorable day for St Kilda fans.
