Jake Carlisle could be headed to Seaford.

Can the Saints continue the climb up the ladder next year, and what are the holes in the list that need to be filled in trades and the draft?

See our verdict and have your say.

ST KILDA REPORT CARD

SNAPSHOT

Wins: 6

Losses: 15

Draws: 1

Ladder position: 14th

%: 78.4

Last year: 18th (up four spots)

WHAT WENT RIGHT

Plenty. For a team predicted by some experts to go through the year without a win, the Saints made giant strides in Alan Richardson’s second season in charge. They pulled off a crazy comeback from 55 points down against the Bulldogs, stole a win against Melbourne when Leigh Montagna goaled with 19 seconds left and smashed Essendon by 110 points. They were competitive in nearly every outing, blooded a host of youngsters including future bookends Paddy McCartin and Hugh Goddard, and found a goalkicking star in Josh Bruce. David Armitage became a genuine A-grader and Jason Holmes provided one of the feel-good stories of the season.

WHAT WENT WRONG

A number of players remain at the crossroads. That’s what happens when you turn over a lot of the list but we’re not really any closer to knowing if Eli Templeton, Brodie Murdoch, Tom Curren or Nathan Wright, among others, will make it as AFL footballers. The top draft picks of 2013 didn’t fire with Jack Billings suffering shin problems, Blake Acres having another injury-interrupted campaign and Luke Dunstan suffering a dose of second-year blues. On the field they hit the wall with two rounds remaining, and how did the Saints give up an early lead to lose to Carlton by 40 points in Wellington?

BEST-AND-FAIREST

Jack Steven claimed his second Trevor Barker Medal last night, edging out David Armitage. Sean Dempster, Leigh Montagna and Jarryn Geary rounded out the top five.

Jack Steven bounced back from an injury-interrupted 2014 season.Source:Getty Images

SUPERCOACH STUD

After averaging in the 80s and 90s in hist past three seasons the big question mark next to David Armitage’s name in the Champion Data 2015 Prospectus was a fair reflection of his SuperCoach status. The potential was always there — but would he ever become a premium selection? Well, it turns out the answer to that question is an emphatic yes. Jack Lonie also proved a smart bench pick.

SUPERCOACH DUD

Ahmed Saad looked like a safe bench option as a mature-age rookie at a decent price who was named for Round 1. But he played just four games before being dropped and eventually sent back to the rookie list.

THE LIST

Elite: Nick Riewoldt, David Armitage, Jack Steven

Big improvers: Josh Bruce, Dylan Roberton, Jason Holmes

Gone: Adam Schneider (retired)

Going, Going: Daniel Markworth, Farren Ray, Josh Saunders, Ahmed Saad, Tom Simpkin, Arryn Siposs, Spencer White

Trade bait: No one obvious

WHAT THEY NEED

Jake Carlisle. Another key defender is top of the shopping list to help Hugh Goddard when Sam Fisher and Sean Dempster retire. The Saints seem well stocked for tall forwards — which is why Tom Lee (who is contracted for next year) played most of the VFL season down back. The other obvious need is more depth and speed in the midfield. David Armitage and Jack Steven are in their prime, but the Saints need some class on the outside; as Alan Richardson said recently: “we need more Jack Billings, not less”. There is money in the bank to spend and St Kilda has been linked to Collingwood’s Nathan Freeman and Sydney’s Lewis Jetta, but he is more likely to head home to WA. Expect the club to focus its energy on another draft before having a serious crack at a big-name free agent in 12 months.

Jake Carlisle could be headed to Seaford.Source:AAP

PREMIERSHIP CLOCK

This time last year the Saints were a minute past midnight, now they’re at about 5am — a significant advance but still a while off pushing for finals. The concern is the kids will be ready in 2-3 years but by then talisman Nick Riewoldt will be 35, Leigh Montagna 34 and the ageless Sean Dempster 33. Can they hang on for another crack at that elusive second flag?

CHAMPION DATA SAYS