Best 22 – round one
B: Dylan Roberton, Nathan Brown, Jarryn Geary
HB: Nick Coffield, Jake Carlisle, Jimmy Webster
C: Jack Newnes, Jack Steele, Jack Sinclair
HF: Blake Acres, Josh Bruce, Jack Billings
F: Tim Membrey, Paddy McCartin, Jade Gresham
R: Billy Longer, Seb Ross, Jack Steven
I/C: David Armitage, Shane Savage, Koby Stevens, Sam Gilbert

Emerg: Hunter Clark, Luke Dunstan, Tom Hickey, Mav Weller 

2017 best and fairest top three
1. Seb Ross
2. Dylan Roberton
3. Jarryn Geary

Fans' season preview: St Kilda

Injury list
Onballer Jack Steven should be available for round one after he suffered a left ankle injury against Melbourne in the JLT Community Series clash last Thursday. Luckless midfielder Nathan Freeman is dealing with yet another hamstring setback and will hope to be back within the first month of the season. Draftee Ben Paton will be out for about the same timeframe after having thumb surgery. Forward Darren Minchington suffered a left knee injury last Saturday and will miss about six weeks. There shouldn't be any doubt ruckman Billy Longer (left hip flexor) faces his former side Brisbane in the season opener. 

The big questions

Is Paddy McCartin ready to deliver?
The time is now and McCartin can do it. Since he was drafted with the first selection in 2014, the key forward has struggled with injury and fitness. However, McCartin showed in the JLT Community Series he has presence in the air and that he is ready to become a consistent AFL player.

How will the Saints change after a pair of club greats retired?
The loss of Nick Riewoldt and Leigh Montagna has put the onus on the younger brigade to take the next step. It's no certainty they will do so. St Kilda has a relatively introverted playing group and those two were vocal leaders, so others will have to lift in that area.

Where are the stars?
Jack Steven, Seb Ross, Jake Carlisle and Dylan Roberton are very good but the Saints lack elite players. But for more accurate conversion last year, Jack Billings would have joined that group, while Blake Acres, Jade Gresham, Jack Steele, Tim Membrey and McCartin are among the next batch to join them.

Check out every club's season preview

Look for…
How coach Alan Richardson manages his bevy of inside midfielders will be fascinating. Ross and Steven are guns while Jack Steele and David Armitage will be hard to displace. Luke Dunstan and Koby Stevens are both too good for the VFL but there are only so many in-and-under types that can play in the senior team. Richardson will rotate his onballers up forward more than he has previously, which should allow him to fit as many of these players in as he can. 

Can the Saints find room for Koby Stevens in their midfield? Picture: AFL Photos

Who they play
Having to play off six-day breaks on six occasions is tough while the fitness staff will also be working overtime when the club plays in Perth twice in 22 days, in rounds eight and 11. St Kilda face top-four aspirants Richmond and Greater Western Sydney twice this year, although both lost to the Saints last season. Richardson's side should have a good start with only one trip outside Victoria in the first seven rounds. 

Fantasy cash cow
Not only is Nick Coffield priced cheaply at $256,000, he has the flexibility to be used in defence or as a midfielder in Fantasy. The draftee's form in the JLT Community Series make it hard to imagine he will miss round one against Brisbane. Having shown plenty of talent, composure and a willingness to win his own football, Coffield should make that spot his own. A concern might be that he slows down eventually, with 2018 being his first season at the elite level, but Coffield should have made you enough money by then to trade out. 

Sudden impact
Nick Coffield is one rising star and Hunter Clark is the other. Clark has been pegged for a role at half-forward as someone who can push up into the midfield when required and hit contests hard, while his excellent foot skills on both sides of his body should help St Kilda kick more goals. Former Port Adelaide defender Logan Austin could replace Jake Carlisle or Nathan Brown if either is injured or suspended.

Hunter Clark and his headband could make a big impact at St Kilda this year. Picture: AFL Photos

It's crunch time for…
The Saints have placed a lot of faith in Luke Dunstan and believe he could be a very impressive player. At 23 and with 69 games of experience to his name, the left-footer should be ready to lift his output and help drive the club to make finals for the first time since 2011. The South Australian's form at the end of last year, when he picked up at least 24 disposals in each of his final six games, needs to become his minimum standard. 

Pressure rating on the coach
It's starting to heat up in the kitchen for Alan Richardson. He signed a two-year contract at the end of last season after having been at the helm since the end of 2013 and developing a rebuilding team. This group is experienced enough so it's time to make the top eight.

The 2017 habit the Saints must kick…
Wayward goalkicking. Poor conversion cost them on trips to Port Adelaide and West Coast last season and they have put in a lot of work under the guidance of Ben Dixon to ensure it does not happen again. 

The Saints will have a good year if…
They can be competitive every week. Their worst footy is poor, and the best teams don't drop off that badly when they don't play well. More consistency will bring more wins.

They’re in trouble if …
Jake Carlisle misses games. He is one of the most important players at the club and is easily its best key defender.

Pass mark
Finals. Alan Richardson often mentions the side has won more games in the past two years than it has lost, so the logical next step is that making the top eight is a must. St Kilda has had its chance to rebuild since it made Grand Finals in 2009-10 and now it's time to deliver. 

AFL.com.au predicted ladder finish: 11th

Player Ratings star
Jack Steven, No.18. Steven started last season at No.14 and cracked the top-10 before eventually dipping back down.