At a glance:

  • Dougal Howard reveals he has been swept up by the Saints' unique story since arriving at the club.
  • Howard spoke about the club's changing culture and the importance of St Kilda's history in the latest episode of 'The March'.
  • 'The March' details the fallout from the AFL's shutdown in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and how the Saints have fought on.

 At just 24, Dougal Howard has already represented two of the oldest and proudest sporting institutions in the world.

St Kilda and Port Adelaide each share a rich and unique history (a staggering 297 years combined), as well as a deep reverence for their spiritual homes: Moorabbin and Alberton Oval.

And after only a short few months at his new club, Howard has already been swept up by the story of the Saints.

Not just there for the warm-up: Ratten heaps praise on Round 2 emergencies
Dougal Howard. Photo: Corey Scicluna.

“I probably didn’t know too much about the history of the football club before,” Howard said on the latest instalment of the new documentary series, The March.

“But to come here and to learn about the past and be here at Moorabbin, it’s got such a rich history.

“Some of the names and some of the ex-players that we’ve had around the club floating through and telling stories, getting to know them has been great fun and really insightful hearing what the club was like once upon a time.”

13:21

The March | 1. Before

A Trade Period for the ages, a new coach, a new St Kilda. A perfect pre-season had the new-look Saints full of momentum. Then, everything stopped.Proudly presented by Pepper Money.

St Kilda greats Nicky Winmar, Nick Riewoldt, Max Hudghton and Stephen Milne were all sighted at RSEA Park prior to the COVID-19 lockdown, with each imparting their knowledge and memories to the next crop of Saints.

But it’s not just word-of-mouth yarns that have kept St Kilda’s history prominent in the minds of the playing group.

As you enter the halls of RSEA Park, reminders of the club’s story await at every turn.

Premiership coach Allan Jeans’ stirring quotes adorn the walls of the race, portraits of Moorabbin memories old and new line the entrance, while the fabled Premiership Cup from 1966 rests proudly in the club museum.

St Kilda immortal Barry Breen with the 1966 Premiership Cup. Photo: Corey Scicluna.

But one of the most poignant reminders of the Moorabbin days lives on in the changerooms, with a portrait of the late Danny Frawley watching over the new generation of red, white and black.

“I never got to meet Spud, but from what I’ve heard he was one-of-a-kind and loved this place like it was his home,” Howard said.

“I wish I had the opportunity to meet him.”

Spud would have been watching on with pride when football returned to the spiritual home during the club’s inaugural AFLW Season, and again for the opening round of the Marsh Community Series.

And even after playing just two games for his new club, the significance of the occasion wasn’t lost on Howard.

Dougal Howard in action at RSEA Park.

“Everything us new guys have heard about is the history of this ground, and how special it is for the people and the ex-players to be back here,” Howard said.

“There’s bit of a similar history in Port Adelaide, they’re both old clubs and I was lucky enough to play a couple of pre-season games back at Alberton, which has a very similar feel to here.

“I guess we’re trying to do our best to create that culture that they used to have."