But, after 23 games for the Saints, McQualter was determined to re-ignite his career and began pre-season training with Hawthorn.
While the Hawks never promised the 21-year-old a place on its list, he considered his best chance of a second crack was at Waverley.
So imagine McQualter’s surprise when the Saints took him back with their third pick in December's rookie draft.
"I was happy," he said. "It was a little bit of a surprise because I didn’t think it would happen. But I’m very grateful to get it.
"The opportunities aren’t there as much when you’re on the rookie list but it is still an opportunity and I have to do what I can do."
‘Mini’, as he is known to St Kilda fans, played six games for St Kilda last year but says he half-expected to be given his marching orders at season’s end.
"It was very disappointing for me but it probably wasn’t a total shock," he said. "I didn’t play well last year and couldn’t get things right. But I’ve trained pretty hard through the off-season."
McQualter only spent four weeks training with Hawthorn but says he benefited from the brief change of scenery.
"Footy clubs are all reasonably similar but it was a good experience and I’m happy to be back at the Saints," he said. "There were probably 10 or so of us training down there and they never said they would look at taking us."
McQualter knows he will have to bide his time for a return to the Saints' senior side. However, with Matt Maguire placed on the long-term injury list, there is a spot available for a rookie to step up and press for selection.
Another player in the mix is Robert Eddy, who McQualter shares a house with in Clarinda.
"When you think about it, we’re sort of competing," he said. "Rob and I get on pretty well and we’ve got no dramas. We wish the best for each other and it doesn’t come up.
"To a certain point it is out of my hands but I have to play as well as I can and give it a crack. Hopefully the rest of it will take care of itself."
As for the nickname, McQualter says it goes back long before he was drafted by the Saints.
"I’ve had the nickname since I was grade three," he revealed. "I was tiny when I was younger and I had an older brother. His friends called me a mini version of him. It’s just stuck since then."
