St Kilda turned heads for all the right reasons in its inaugural AFLW campaign.

Peta Searle's side played a united, clinical brand of footy that stood up against the giants of the competition and ensured a competitive effort week-in, week-out.

Two memorable wins punctuated the landmark year, with the new generation of Saints winning over the hearts of the St Kilda faithful.

And while team-first football has always been the mantra, a handful of Saints thrust themselves into contention for the side's highest individual honour.

Olivia Vesely

Season averages: 15 disposals, eight contested possessions, four tackles
Best game: Round 5 v Carlton, 18 disposals, four tackles, three marks
Key stat: First for St Kilda’s total AFL Fantasy points, second for disposals, contested possessions, inside-50s, third for clearances, tackles 

Heading into the season, Olivia Vesely considered every game to be a “bonus” as she didn’t believe she’d be picked in the senior side. 

But the Saints’ most vibrant personality starred in her debut year, acting as a central point of her side’s midfield through her tackling, inside grunt and disposal numbers. 

The Rising Star nominee played all six games and is well in contention for the league-wide award, along with St Kilda’s maiden best-and-fairest.

Caitlin Greiser

Season averages: 10 disposals, three score involvements, three inside-50s
Best game: Round 3 v Melbourne, two goals, 11 disposals, four marks
Key stat: First in the AFLW for total goals, first for St Kilda’s score involvements, inside-50s

Caitlin Greiser was everything and more in her first season of AFLW.

The key forward was unstoppable when she got on a roll, bagging multiple goals on four occasions and topping the league’s goalkicking with 10 majors.

Strong in the air, deadly from long-range and skilful at ground level, the 21-year-old rising star is a hot favourite to snare the Saints’ most coveted honour.

Georgia Patrikios

Season averages: 16 disposals, four clearances, three tackles
Best game: Round 1 v Western Bulldogs, 18 disposals, five tackles
Key stat: First for St Kilda’s total disposals, metres gained, clearances

From the moment she stepped out onto RSEA Park, everyone earmarked Georgia Patrikios as a future star of the competition.

The 19-year-old’s freakish sidestep, time with the footy and electric pace punctuated her six influential outings, which included a Rising Star nomination and AFLCA votes from three games.

Patrikios was tipped to take out the Rising Star by the AFLW coaches at the start of the year, but there could be another piece of silverware heading her way off the back of her standout season.

Rosie Dillon

Season averages: 13 disposals, nine contested possessions, six tackles
Best game: Round 4 v Fremantle, 18 disposals, seven tackles, two marks
Key stat: First for St Kilda’s contested possessions, second for clearances, tackles

St Kilda's unsung hero from 2020 was, without doubt, Rosie Dillon.

The gritty on-baller was integral to St Kilda’s midfield make-up, with her contested efforts, clearance work and crunching tackles paving the way for several assaults forward.

She may not have got all the plaudits she deserved from her first year in the competition, but the club’s inaugural best-and-fairest might change that.

Molly McDonald

Season averages: 10 disposals, four marks, two tackles
Best game: Round 1 v Western Bulldogs, 12 disposals, four marks, one goal
Key stat: First for St Kilda’s total marks

A historic year for a historic Saint.

Molly McDonald wrote herself into the record books after kicking her side’s first goal, before piecing together six solid outings for the year.

A safe pair of hands and a safer chance at polling well at this year’s best-and-fairest, keep an eye on McDonald to possibly make history once again.

Rhiannon Watt

Season averages: 11 disposals, nine hit-outs, three marks
Best game: Round 3 v Melbourne, 16 hit-outs, 14 disposals, three marks
Key stat: First for St Kilda’s total contested marks, hit-outs

Rhiannon Watt was everything you wanted from a leader.

Along with co-captains Kate Shierlaw and Cat Phillips, the lifelong Saints fan delivered consistency, reliability and versatility playing in the ruck, up forward and down back, playing pivotal hands in the Saints’ two triumphs.

A memorable goal against the Blues capped off Watt’s first season in the red, white and black, but there’s every chance there could be even more reason to celebrate with St Kilda’s inaugural best-and-fairest.

Nat Exon

Season averages: 10 disposals, six tackles
Best game: Round 2 v Adelaide, 15 disposals, eight tackles, four marks
Key stat: First for St Kilda’s total tackles 

Nat Exon was another Saint who largely slid under the radar, but whose impact was well and truly felt. 

The AFLW veteran was unflinching in her physical efforts, throwing her body on the line and piling on the pressure to top St Kilda’s total tackle count. 

Her bravery throughout the season was to be commended, but a place in St Kilda’s best-and-fairest count would be the icing on top of the cake.

Tilly Lucas-Rodd

Season averages: 13 disposals, six intercept possessions, two tackles
Best game: Round 2 v Adelaide, 19 disposals, 14 kicks, six marks
Key stat: First for St Kilda’s intercept possessions, disposal efficiency 

A general down back and one of the Saints’ most passionate players: Tilly Lucas-Rodd. 

Calm under pressure and a leading intercept player, the gritty defender also stood out with her clean disposal, which saw her top the Saints’ efficiency numbers. 

After taking out last seaon’s best-and-fairest for the Southern Saints, there’s no reason why Lucas-Rodd can’t make it two in two years. 

Tarni White

Season averages: Eight disposals, four rebound-50s, three marks
Best game: Round 2 v Adelaide, 18 disposals, 16 kicks, 10 marks
Key stat: First for St Kilda’s total rebound 50s 

While a four-game season would often put you out of contention for a best-and-fairest, Tarni White’s debut year is the exception. 

The tough-as-nails defender was the Saints’ chief rebounder and one of the cleanest kicks by foot, before her season was derailed by a second ACL injury. 

While unlucky to miss out on a Rising Star nomination for her Round 2 masterclass, all would be quickly forgotten should the young Queenslander poll well in St Kilda’s best-and-fairest. 

Clara Fitzpatrick

Season averages: 10 disposals, six intercept possessions, two marks
Best game: Round 4 v Fremantle, 13 disposals, four tackles, four marks
Key stat: Second for St Kilda’s total rebound 50s, intercept possessions 

Clara Fitzpatrick was first introduced to AFL three years ago, but you definitely wouldn’t know it if her first year in red, white and black was anything to go by. 

The Gaelic footballer slotted seamlessly into the Saints’ defence, with her courage and individual efforts catching the eye across her five appearances. 

While the resolute defender has returned home to Ireland during the off-season, her terrific season will still be acknowledged over 17,000km away.

Hannah Priest

Season averages: 10 disposals, five intercept possessions, four tackles
Best game: Round 3 v Melbourne, 10 disposals, four tackles, four marks
Key stat: Second for St Kilda’s total marks, third for intercept possessions 

Hannah Priest was one of the Saints’ toughest warriors in 2020, whose efforts didn’t go by unnoticed. 

The hardened defender was a consistent and steadying influence across half-back, utilising her composure and vision to help springboard the red, white and black into attack. 

After just two seasons for Morphettville Park, Priest is starting to make a name for herself in the big leagues – a place in St Kilda’s best-and-fairest might help that. 

Nicola Xenos

Season averages: Nine disposals, four tackles
Best game: Round 6 v Richmond, 11 disposals, six tackles, one goal
Key stat: Third for St Kilda’s tackles

As one of St Kilda’s most electric youngsters, Nicola Xenos did not disappoint. 

The young Saint’s inside grunt, hard-hitting bumps and ferocity won fans over, while her passages of play with Georgia Patrikios were weekly highlights. 

While she may not have gotten her hands on the ball as many times as her partner in crime, the impact she had on the contest was just as profound.