Dear Saints Members and Supporters,

I hope this letter finds you well and you are enjoying the 2024 AFL season so far.

As we prepare for our first home game at Marvel Stadium for the year, I wanted to take this opportunity to provide our members my reflections on the year to date, as well as an update on our club, both on and off the field.

It has been an up and down start to the men’s season, as we sit 2-3 following a narrow loss to GWS on Saturday.  Frustratingly, across all the losses, the total deficit equates to only 13 points and we have had our chances to win every game.  

As those who have had the misfortune of being near me at games would attest, I ride the weekly highs and lows as much as anyone. But, whatever the result, I am drawing confidence from the fact that we now have a quality football program and are making positive strides towards our long-term goals.

We were clear when we appointed Ross that we had a lot of work to do in terms of both our processes and our ability to seriously compete on-field, and our plans remain grounded in that reality.  Put simply, we are trying to do this the right way, not the easy way.  

We have made substantial changes to our overall systems and processes, which we feel will enable us to stand up to the true rigours of this increasingly close competition. And we have made other important changes, including putting our TPP in a much healthier position.  

We have brought in young talent through the past two drafts, many of whom you have already seen play at AFL level. As I have mentioned previously, no side has made finals over the past 20 years whilst getting more games into teenagers than we did last year.  Our commitment to giving opportunities to our young players has continued into season 2024. Across the first five rounds we have fielded the fourth-youngest team on average ahead of only Gold Coast, North Melbourne and Hawthorn. 

Whilst we will be looking to even our ledger on Thursday night against the Bulldogs and to keep winning every week beyond that, it is adherence to the above processes and progress against our long-term plans which will continue to be our focus. 

Our commitment to driving relentlessly towards success extends to our AFLW program, which came oh so close to a maiden finals berth in 2023.

Since the completion of the AFLW season, we have welcomed an exciting pair of draftees in Kiera Whiley and father-daughter selection Charlotte Simpson, as well as traded players Paige Trudgeon and Rene Caris.

The next month will see our female athletes return for pre-season, and I have no doubt they will seek to capitalise on last year’s momentum and show the competition what Saints Footy is all about.

Off the field, I would like to acknowledge the work of Carl Dilena, who has stepped in highly effectively as Acting Chief Executive Officer since Simon Lethlean’s departure earlier this year.  Carl’s steady hand has been crucial in allowing time for the Board and I to undertake the selection process for a full-time appointee.  That process remains ongoing, and I will update you all as soon as we have made a decision.

I would also like to publicly congratulate Jen Douglas on her recent elevation to Vice President of our Board alongside Russell Caplan. This role reflects not only Jen’s standing on our Board, but also the responsibilities she holds. Her passion for seeing our AFL and AFLW programs succeed is second to none, as is her unwavering dedication to seeing the sustainable growth and prosperity of the club as a whole.

Earlier this season we celebrated Spud’s Game and I thank all our members for their incredible support.  Not only did we see a great win against Collingwood (and don’t we all love beating them), but we also managed to raise significant funds for the mental health programs run at the Danny Frawley Centre.

Through these programs, as well as the recently opened ISN Clinic at the DFC, we know that lives are being saved, and the generous support of Saints fans and donors is the bedrock of enabling Spud’s dream to turn into reality.

My thoughts are also with the Plympton family, as we came together last week to celebrate the life and contributions of former president, Andrew Plympton AM.  Andrew’s passion for all things St Kilda was undeniable.   Throughout his tenure as president, Andrew tackled many obstacles which helped shape our club permanently for the better.

Andrew’s funeral was a wonderful celebration of a great man and the St Kilda representation (including an honour guard of former players) was enormous and, I know, greatly appreciated by his family. I know I speak for all who love the red, white and black in saying we will forever be grateful for Andrew’s life and legacy.

Before I leave you, the most important acknowledgment I wish to make is to our members and fans.  We heard you in the stands down in Geelong, we saw you flood into the MCG with pride in Round 2 and we continue to need you more than ever.

Marvel Stadium is our home, and we want every opposition who meets us there to know they are not among friends.

I look forward to seeing you all there in full kit and full voice on Thursday night. 

Take care and go Saints.

Andrew.