It may not be the night of nights we all envisaged some months prior, but the significance remains the same.

Almost six months on from St Kilda's abrupt end to AFLW Season 2020, the club will formally acknowledge the year that was and crown its inaugural best-and-fairest this Sunday night via Skype.

While team-first football has always been the mantra for the red, white and black, a handful of Saints have 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 2019 VFLW Debbie Lee medallist charted in her side’s top-three of every major on-ball statistic, and also picked up a NAB Rising Star nomination for her stellar 18-disposal display in Round 5 against Carlton.

Even though she lays claim the “lamest story ever” about her ‘FEAR ME’ mouthguard, taking out the club's inaugural best-and-fairest might just become the No. 1 talking point for the young Saint.

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.

'G-Train' was unstoppable when she got on a roll, bagging multiple goals on four occasions and topping the league’s goalkicking with 10 majors from six games.

Greiser cemented her status as Moorabbin's newest hero after her match-winning roost against the Demons gifted the Saints their first ever win in front of the rampant faithful at RSEA Park.

The key forward also took out All-Australian honours, came runner-up in the AFLW Rising Star award and was selected in the AFLPA 22Under22 side before inking a two-year contract extension with the red, white and black.

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 set foot on the hallowed turf at RSEA Park, Georgia Patrikios caught the eye.

The historic day for St Kilda was punctuated by the smooth mover's class and composure, and she didn't slow down as the season progressed.

Her ball-winning capabilities, natural instinct to take the game on and wicked sidestep floored both opposition and spectators alike, with her succession of influential performances culminating in a superb debut season for the Saints’ first draft pick.

Patrikios rewarded with the AFLPA’s Best First-Year Player award, a podium finish in the 2020 Nab Rising Star Award and selection into the AFLPA’s 22Under22 team and All-Australian squad, but could soon have another coveted honour coming her way by Sunday night.

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

If there was one Saint to fly under the radar in 2020, it was Rosie Dillon. And it wasn’t because of her diminutive stature.

The tenacious 153cm midfielder was either on the bottom of a pack or laying a crunching tackle, often escaping the immediate gaze of the fans.

But her inside punch and grunt were unswerving week after week, with her victories in the clinches both halting the opposition and giving the Saints’ outside runners chances to break free.

The pressure-magnet’s skill through heavy traffic also saw her lead St Kilda for contested possessions and place a narrow second for clearances and tackles behind Georgia Patrikios and Nat Exon respectively.

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

Season 2020 was both momentous and defining in many ways, especially for the young Molly McDonald, who began the first chapter of her AFLW career in the red, white and black.

McDonald wrote herself into the record books after kicking the club’s first goal, eerily mirroring the historic achievement of her namesake, James McDonald, from 1873.

The former basketballer played all six matches in one of the club’s most distinguished numbers, utilising her reliable left-foot, sure marking and pace along the wings to become a core member of the young midfield.

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

Every player realises their “dream come true” once they make it to the AFLW, but for Rhi Watt, that well-worn cliché hit home a little bit more.

The passionate St Kilda fan and Southern Saints best-and-fairest was inducted as the club’s inaugural co-captain after a season with the Blues, with the way she played the perfect display of leadership, consistency and reliability either in the ruck, up forward or down back.

Watt also played pivotal roles in the Saints’ two triumphs against Melbourne and Richmond, taking several defensive marks in the former as the red, white and black secured its first win in a heart-stopping thriller.

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. 

Coupled with her quick bursts out of stoppages, strength from contest-to-contest and ability to slot seamlessly into any position, the gritty Saint continued to stand tall and be a player to look up to as the club's inaugural season progressed.

Her bravery throughout the season is 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 

Tilly Lucas-Rodd was the cool head under pressure the ever-reliable force to get the Saints out of danger.

Her combination of grit, clean kicking and intercept plays saw her stand out week after week, with her precise use seeing her boast the best disposal efficiency in the 30-woman squad.

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 just bolster 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.