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==History== {{further|History of the St Kilda Football Club}} ===1873β1915: early years=== On 14 March 1873, a meeting was held in [[Windsor, Victoria|Windsor]] to form the St Kilda Football Club. At this meeting, a provisional committee of men were elected.<ref>{{cite news |title=Monday, March 17, 1873. |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5850120/235399 |access-date=24 October 2021 |work=Argus |date=17 March 1873}}</ref> The formation was completed on 2 April 1873,<ref>{{cite news |title=Monday, April 14, 1873. |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5851824/235822 |access-date=24 October 2021 |work=Argus |date=14 April 1873}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=St. Kilda Football Club. |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/245365844 |access-date=24 October 2021 |work=Herald |date=3 April 1873}}</ref> and on 11 June 1873 another meeting was held to appoint the final committee.<ref>{{cite news |title=Football. |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/198574086 |access-date=24 October 2021 |work=Age |date=14 June 1873}}</ref> The club's original home ground was colloquially nicknamed the "Alpaca Paddock", which was a large fenced-off area at the St Kilda end of what is now known as [[Albert Park and Lake|Albert Park]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Alpaca Paddock (St Kilda) |url=http://www.boylesfootballphotos.net.au/Alpaca+Paddock+%28St+Kilda%29 |website=www.boylesfootballphotos.net.au |access-date=26 May 2021}}</ref> During its formation years, the club underwent multiple mergers. In June 1873, it merged with the [[South Yarra Football Club (1858β1873)|South Yarra Football Club]] and adopted the red from their colour scheme.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Colours: Red, White & Black |url=https://www.saints.com.au/club/history/the-colours |website=saints.com.au |access-date=30 June 2021 |language=en}}</ref> In 1875, the club briefly merged with [[Melbourne University Football Club|University]] to stay financially viable.<ref name="Origins">{{cite web |title=1873-1896: The Origins |url=https://www.saints.com.au/club/history/history-by-decade/1873-1896 |website=saints.com.au |date=4 March 2020 |access-date=30 June 2021 |language=en}}</ref> In March 1888, a decision was made to amalgamate St Kilda with nearby Prahran Football Club. St Kilda retained their colours, name and ground as well as picking up a number of Prahran players.<ref name="League"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Football. |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/107816058 |access-date=24 October 2021 |work=Telegraph, St Kilda, Prahran and South Yarra Guardian |date=24 March 1888}}</ref> St Kilda competed as a senior club in the VFA from 1877 to 1879, 1881 to 1882 and 1886 to 1896 before accepting an invitation into the breakaway competition, the Victorian Football League, from 1897 onwards.<ref>{{cite web |title=History of the VFL 1877 - 2013 - VFL |url=https://websites.mygameday.app/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-118-0-0-0&sID=54554&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=11104596§ionID=54554 |website=GameDay |access-date=24 October 2021 |language=en}}</ref> [[File:Performance Chart AFL STK.svg|thumb|Chart of yearly ladder positions for St Kilda in [[Australian Football League|VFL/AFL]]]] St Kilda were one of the eight clubs that took part in the inaugural [[1897 VFL season|VFL season]] in 1897.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Clubs|editor-last1=Ross |editor-first1=John |editor-last2=Hutchinson |editor-first2=Garrie |publisher=Penguin Books |year=1998 |page=321|isbn=978-0-670-87858-1}}</ref> They made their debut in an away game against [[Collingwood Football Club|Collingwood]] on 8 May 1897 at [[Victoria Park, Melbourne|Victoria Park]]. The club's home ground in the new league was the [[Junction Oval]] in the suburb of [[St Kilda, Victoria]] and the club's first home game was against [[Fitzroy Football Club|Fitzroy]]. St Kilda's early years in the VFL were not successful and, in 1899, they had the lowest score ever recorded in a VFL/AFL match, one point against Geelong.<ref>[[Jim Main]], ''Aussie Rules For Dummies'' (2nd edition, 2008) p. 45.</ref> The club lost 48 consecutive games, recording their first win on 5 May 1900, against Melbourne. This match initially ended as a draw, but a protest launched by St Kilda saw the result overturned, resulting in a 1-point victory to St Kilda.<ref name="League">{{cite web |title=1897β1909: Entering the League |url=https://www.saints.com.au/club/history/history-by-decade/1897-1909 |website=saints.com.au |date=3 March 2020 |access-date=30 June 2021 |language=en}}</ref> [[File:St kilda 1913.jpg|thumb|left|St Kilda squad for the 1913 grand final]] In 1902, [[Charlie Baker (Australian footballer)|Charlie Baker]] became the first St Kilda player to be the league's leading goalkicker in a home and away season with 30 goals.<ref name="League"/> Six successive wins at the start of the [[1907 VFL season|1907 season]] helped St Kilda to its first finals appearance, qualifying third with nine wins and eight losses.<ref name="League"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Football. The League Finals. |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/10158331?searchTerm=St%20Kilda%20Football%20Finals |access-date=12 October 2021 |work=Argus |date=2 September 1907}}</ref> The club was beaten by eventual premiers [[Carlton Football Club|Carlton]].<ref>{{cite news |title=St. Kilda Overwhelmed. Carlton Win Easily. |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/10128526?searchTerm=St%20Kilda%20Football |access-date=12 October 2021 |work=Argus |date=16 September 1907}}</ref> The following year, the club once again qualified in third position and were again eliminated by Carlton in the semi-finals.<ref>{{cite news |title=Semi-Finals. |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/242906300?searchTerm=St%20Kilda%20Football%20Finals |access-date=12 October 2021 |work=Herald |date=19 September 1908}}</ref> The 1913 season saw major improvement with the team finishing fourth, eventually being defeated in the [[1913 VFL Grand Final|Grand Final]] by Fitzroy. Owing to the [[Argus finals system#Second amended Argus system|finals system]] at the time, Fitzroy, who had been defeated by St Kilda the previous week, were allowed to challenge St Kilda to a rematch the following week.<ref>{{cite news |title=Football Finals. |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/116158669?searchTerm=St%20Kilda%20Fitzroy |access-date=24 October 2021 |work=Urana Independent and Clear Hills Standard |date=3 October 1913}}</ref> St Kilda lost the rematch 7.14 (56) to 5.13 (43).<ref>{{cite news |title=Football. |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/66394471?searchTerm=St%20Kilda%20Fitzroy |access-date=12 October 2021 |work=Malvern Standard |date=4 October 1913}}</ref> ===1916β1949: World wars and individual success === Owing to World War I, St Kilda went into recess in 1916 and 1917. Just prior to their recession, the club temporarily changed their official colours to include yellow in place of white. This was done to avoid association with the German Empire, who had the same colours as St Kilda at the time.<ref name="War">{{cite web |title=1910-1919: Heartbreak and the Great War |url=https://www.saints.com.au/club/history/history-by-decade/1910-1919 |website=saints.com.au |date=4 March 2020 |access-date=12 October 2021 |language=en}}</ref> The club resumed normal operation in 1918 and fared well initially, qualifying for finals and being defeated in the semi-finals.<ref name="War"/> However, the following years saw St Kilda consistently struggle with poor form. [[File:St_kilda_1928.jpg|thumb|The 1928 team]] The club qualified for finals once between 1919 and 1938, although during this time period [[Colin Watson (footballer)|Colin Watson]] became the first St Kilda player to win the league's highest individual award, winning the 1925 [[Brownlow Medal]].<ref>{{cite news |title="Best And Fairest" |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/233575645?searchTerm=Brownlow%20Medal |access-date=12 October 2021 |work=News |date=7 October 1925}}</ref> Additionally in 1936, forward [[Bill Mohr]] kicked 101 goals, winning the leading goalkicker award and becoming the first St Kilda player to kick 100 goals or more in a season.<ref>{{cite news |title="The Argus" Cup To W. Mohr |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/11919028?searchTerm=Leading%20Goalkicker%20St%20Kilda |access-date=12 October 2021 |work=Argus |date=26 September 1936}}</ref> The club qualified for finals in [[1939 VFL season|1939]], finishing the season in fourth after a record run of eight consecutive victories. The team had its first finals win since 1913, against [[Richmond Football Club|Richmond]], but were eliminated in the preliminary final by Collingwood.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Crest is Immortalised |url=https://www.saints.com.au/club/history/history-by-decade/1930-1939 |website=saints.com.au |date=4 March 2020 |access-date=12 October 2021 |language=en}}</ref> St Kilda won three of the first four games early in the [[1940 VFL season|1940 season]] and were on top of the ladder after Round 4, however, the club went on to finish second last. Despite prominent players emerging for the club such as [[Harold Bray]], [[Keith Drinan]], [[Peter Bennett (footballer, born 1926)|Peter Bennett]] and later [[Neil Roberts (Australian footballer)|Neil Roberts]], St Kilda were rarely competitive for the duration of the 1940s.<ref>{{cite web |title=1940-1949: The Lean Years |url=https://www.saints.com.au/club/history/history-by-decade/1940-1949 |website=saints.com.au |date=4 March 2020 |access-date=12 October 2021 |language=en}}</ref> === 1950β1973: failure and success=== The 1950s were initially as uncompetitive for St Kilda as the prior decade. The club failed to make the finals for the first half of the decade, and won three wooden spoons over the period.<ref name=Fifties>{{cite web |title=1950-1959: Nobody will laugh at St Kilda |url=https://www.saints.com.au/club/history/history-by-decade/1950-1959 |website=saints.com.au |date=4 March 2020 |access-date=24 October 2021 |language=en}}</ref> At the end of 1955, [[Alan Killigrew]] was appointed as the club's coach.<ref>{{cite news |title=Killigrew to coach St Kilda |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71700022?searchTerm=st%20kilda%20alan%20killigrew |access-date=24 October 2021 |work=Argus |date=7 October 1955}}</ref> As part of Killigrew's plan to reinvigorate the club, 17 players were removed from the club's list - one of the most substantial list turnovers in VFL history.<ref name=Fifties/> Between 1957 and 1959, St Kilda won three consecutive Brownlow Medals.<ref name=Fifties/> The 1959 winner, [[Verdun Howell]], tied with [[Bob Skilton]] in the Brownlow Medal count. At the time, Skilton was awarded the medal on count-back. The league later decided to award a Brownlow Medal to any player who was eligible to win who tied on the same number of votes as a winner who won on count-back β with Howell receiving the Brownlow retrospectively.<ref>{{cite web |title=2016 Australian Football Hall of Fame Inductee: Verdun Howell |url=https://www.saints.com.au/news/317154/2016-australian-football-hall-of-fame-inductee-verdun-howell |website=saints.com.au |date=15 June 2016 |access-date=24 October 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Brownlow History |url=https://www.afl.com.au/brownlow-medal/history |website=afl.com.au |access-date=24 October 2021 |language=en}}</ref> In 1958, St Kilda won the [[1958 Night Series Cup|Consolation Night Series competition]], a competition that was played between clubs that had failed to qualify for the premiership season finals series. St Kilda defeated Carlton 16.13 (109) to 15.11 (101).<ref name=Night>{{cite web |last1=Eastman |first1=David |title=1958 VFL Night Series Cup |url=https://www.hardballget.net/afl-npm-1958-vfl-night-series.html |website=Hard Ball Get |access-date=20 October 2021 |language=en}}</ref> In 1961, after finishing sixth in 1960, [[Allan Jeans]] was appointed coach. In his first season as coach, St Kilda qualified for the final four for the first time since 1939.<ref name=Sixties>{{cite web |title=1960-1969: Moorabbin and the Ultimate Glory |url=https://www.saints.com.au/club/history/history-by-decade/1960-1969 |website=saints.com.au |date=4 March 2020 |access-date=24 October 2021 |language=en}}</ref> The club lost to [[Footscray Football Club|Footscray]] in the first semi-final. The club qualified for finals again in [[1963 VFL season|1963]], but was eliminated in the semi-finals again.<ref name=Sixties/> In 1965, St Kilda finished the home and away season as minor premiers for the first time in the club's history. St Kilda defeated Collingwood in the second semi-final to progress into the grand final.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Holmesby |first1=Russell |title=Rewind to 1965: The one-point thriller that snapped the September drought |url=https://www.saints.com.au/news/821233/team-selection-placeholder |website=saints.com.au |date=2 October 2020 |access-date=24 October 2021 |language=en}}</ref> The club finished second in the 1965 premiership season, being defeated by [[Essendon Football Club|Essendon]] in the [[1965 VFL Grand Final]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Essendon too strong for St Kilda in VFL final |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/105863820?searchTerm=st%20kilda%20essendon%20grand%20final |access-date=24 October 2021 |work=Canberra Times |date=27 September 1965}}</ref> {| style="margin-right:4px; margin-top:8px; float:right; border:1px #000 solid; border-radius:8px; background:#fff; font-family:Verdana; font-size:8pt; text-align:center;" |- | width=200 | ''[[1966 VFL Grand Final]]'' || ''G'' || ''B'' || ''Total'' |- | style="text-align:left" | [[Collingwood Football Club|Collingwood]] || 10 || 13 || 73 |- | style="text-align:left" | St Kilda || '''10''' || '''14''' || '''74''' |- | Venue: [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]] | colspan=3 | Crowd: 101,655<ref name=FinalsReview>{{cite web |last1=Devany |first1=John |title=Australian Football - Saints make their point - 1966 VFL Grand Final |url=https://australianfootball.com/articles/view/Saints+make+their+point+-+1966+VFL+Grand+Final/306 |website=australianfootball.com |access-date=24 October 2021}}</ref> |} Following their successful 1965 season, St Kilda qualified for finals in consecutive years for the first time since 1907β08.<ref>{{cite web |title=AFL Tables - St Kilda - Streaks |url=https://afltables.com/afl/teams/stkilda/streaks.html#21 |website=afltables.com |access-date=24 October 2021}}</ref> The club was defeated in the second semi-final by Collingwood - however, the club defeated Essendon in the preliminary final in to qualify for the [[1966 VFL Grand Final]].<ref name=FinalsReview/> St Kilda defeated Collingwood by a single point to win their first premiership in 68 seasons.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McGarry |first1=Andrew |title=Which teams have had the longest wait for a VFL/AFL flag? |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-24/longest-vfl-afl-premiership-droughts/100485040 |access-date=24 October 2021 |work=ABC News |date=24 September 2021 |language=en-AU}}</ref> The following year, St Kilda failed to qualify for the finals series, finishing fifth.<ref>{{cite news |title=Richmond puts St Kilda out of four |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/106972760?searchTerm=st%20kilda%20out%20of%20final |access-date=24 October 2021 |work=Canberra Times |date=21 August 1967}}</ref> Despite continued finals appearances in the early 1970s, St Kilda was unable to win a second premiership - being defeated by the eventual premiers in each finals series between 1970 and 1973.<ref>{{cite web |title=1970-1979: The Rise and Fall |url=https://www.saints.com.au/club/history/history-by-decade/1970-1979 |website=saints.com.au |date=4 March 2020 |access-date=24 October 2021 |language=en}}</ref> During this 4-year period, St Kilda qualified for the [[1971 VFL Grand Final]]. Despite leading by 20 points at the beginning of the last quarter, they were defeated by Hawthorn by 7 points.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rules Final To Hawthorn|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/250203774?searchTerm=hawthorn%20premiership |access-date=24 October 2021 |work=Papua New Guinea Post-Courier |date=27 September 1971}}</ref> === 1974β1990: decline === In [[1974 VFL season|1974]], St Kilda declined to the lower half of the ladder for the first time since the 1950s, finishing tenth. Allan Jeans retired from coaching two years later after 16 seasons coaching St Kilda, citing burnout as his reason for retirement.<ref>{{cite news |title=Allan 'Yabby' Jeans: A legend's life in footy |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/allan-yabby-jeans-a-legends-life-in-footy/news-story/d3471e000983f9424147f4ca49343d55 |access-date=23 October 2021 |work=Herald Sun |date=12 July 2011}}</ref> After [[Lindsay Fox]] was appointed club president in 1979, the club's outstanding debt of $1.45 million was addressed. Many senior players and Allan Jeans accepted a deal to be paid 22.5 cents for each dollar they were owed. Additionally, non-football creditors received 7.5 cents for each dollar owed. The club was ultimately able to settle with its creditors for $195,000.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wilson |first1=Caroline |title=Finally Saints look to recognise the men who saved the club |url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/finally-saints-look-to-recognise-the-men-who-saved-the-club-20170310-guvfl8.html |website=The Age |access-date=2 June 2021 |language=en |date=2017-03-10}}</ref> Despite these efforts, continuing financial pressures and defeats saw the club remain in the bottom three for every season between 1979 and 1986.<ref>{{cite web |title=1980-1989: The Shining Lights in the Dark |url=https://www.saints.com.au/club/history/history-by-decade/1980-1989 |website=saints.com.au |date=4 March 2020 |access-date=23 October 2021 |language=en}}</ref> In [[1987 VFL season|1987]], Tony Lockett won the league's [[Coleman Medal]] for leading goalkicker in the home-and-away season, the fourth St Kilda player to achieve this. Lockett also became the seventh St Kilda player to win the [[Brownlow Medal]]. He remains the only person in league history to win both the league's best and fairest{{clarify|date=March 2024}} Brownlow Medal and the Coleman Medal in the same season.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gabelich |first1=Josh |title=Former Hawthorn forward Ben Dixon predicts Richmond superstar Dustin Martin to complete the Brownlow-Coleman Medal double in 2020 |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/former-hawthorn-forward-ben-dixon-predicts-richmond-superstar-dustin-martin-to-complete-the-brownlowcoleman-medal-double-in-2020/news-story/d139fefe2fe22a55d93a31d961ea0d41 |website=Fox Sports |access-date=23 October 2021 |language=en |date=2 March 2020}}</ref> ===1990β1999: AFL era=== The league was officially renamed the [[Australian Football League]] prior to the start of the [[1990 AFL season|1990 premiership season]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The History of Australian Football |url=https://www.afl.com.au/about-afl/history |website=afl.com.au |access-date=16 October 2021 |language=en}}</ref> A competitive [[1991 AFL season]] saw St Kilda qualify for a finals series for the first time since 1973, qualifying fourth at the end of the home and away rounds.<ref>{{cite news |title=Times Sport |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/122379945?searchTerm=St%20Kilda%201973 |access-date=16 October 2021 |work=Canberra Times |date=25 August 1991}}</ref> However, the club failed to win a final, being defeated by Geelong.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ainslie unhindered in path to final |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/122383062?searchTerm=St%20Kilda%20defeated |access-date=16 October 2021 |work=Canberra Times |date=9 September 1991}}</ref> St Kilda finally broke through the following year, winning its first finals series match since 1973 against Collingwood.<ref>{{cite news |title='Underdogs' end Magpies' run |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/126941056?searchTerm=St%20Kilda%20Collingwood |access-date=16 October 2021 |work=Canberra Times |date=6 September 1992}}</ref> St Kilda won the [[1996 Ansett Australia Cup]] competition, also known as the pre-season cup. The team defeated Carlton in the final 20.10 (130) to 10.12 (72) in front of 66,888 people at Waverley Park. [[Nicky Winmar]] became the first St Kilda player to win the [[Michael Tuck Medal]] for best player on the ground in the 1996 Ansett Australia Cup Final.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://images.slatterymedia.com/image/?image_id=141079|title=AFL 1996 Ansett Cup Grand Final β St Kilda v Carlton|work=Slattery Media Group|date=23 March 1996|access-date=7 November 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716085627/http://images.slatterymedia.com/image/?image_id=141079|archive-date=16 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://images.slatterymedia.com/image/?image_id=141078|title= AFL 1996 Ansett Cup Grand Final β St Kilda v Carlton β Nicky Winmar of St Kilda with the trophy and his Michael Tuck Medal|work=Slattery Media Group|date=23 March 1996|access-date=7 November 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307133112/http://commercial.aflphotos.com.au/image/?image_id=141078|archive-date=7 March 2012}}</ref> Despite this success, the club failed to make the finals.<ref>{{cite web |title=Australian Football - AFL Premiership Season - Season 1996 |url=https://australianfootball.com/seasons/season/AFL/138/premiership%2Bseason/1/1/1996 |website=australianfootball.com |access-date=16 October 2021}}</ref> In the [[1997 AFL season|1997 season]], St Kilda qualified for the finals series in first position at the end of the home and away rounds with 15 wins and 7 losses,<ref>{{cite web |title=Winding back the clock β Round 8, 1997 |url=https://www.saints.com.au/news/730659/winding-back-the-clock-round-8-1997 |website=saints.com.au |date=17 April 2013 |access-date=19 October 2021 |language=en}}</ref> winning the second minor premiership in the club's history.<ref>{{cite web |title=1990-1999: Heroes Emerge |url=https://www.saints.com.au/club/history/history-by-decade/1990-1999 |website=saints.com.au |date=4 March 2020 |access-date=19 October 2021 |language=en}}</ref> St Kilda defeated [[Brisbane Lions|Brisbane]] in the qualifying finals and North Melbourne in the preliminary finals to move through to the grand final. St Kilda finished second after being beaten in the [[1997 AFL Grand Final]] by Adelaide.<ref name=Mongrel>{{cite web |last1=Hunt |first1=Tim |title=The Best There Nearly Was - St Kilda 1997-2011 (Part One) |url=https://themongrelpunt.com/footy-history/2021/07/28/the-best-there-nearly-was-st-kilda-1997-2011-part-one/ |website=The Mongrel Punt |access-date=19 October 2021 |date=28 July 2021}}</ref> The [[1998 AFL season|1998 season]] initially appeared to be equally strong for the club. After Round 14 of the season, St Kilda was on top of the ladder in Round 14 with eleven wins and three losses and were tipped as warm favourites for the premiership.<ref name=Mongrel/> However, the team's performance declined severely, losing six of their final eight matches to from first to sixth at the conclusion of the premiership season.<ref name=Mongrel/> After qualifying for the finals in consecutive seasons, St Kilda were defeated narrowly by Sydney in the qualifying finals and then eliminated comprehensively by Melbourne in the semi-finals.<ref name=Mongrel/> ===2000β2011: wooden spoon to premiership contender=== During the early part of the decade, St Kilda struggled, winning only two matches and drawing one to finish with the [[wooden spoon (award)|wooden spoon]] in [[2000 AFL season|2000]].<ref name=Resurgence>{{cite web |title=2000-2009: The Resurgence |url=https://www.saints.com.au/club/history/history-by-decade/2000-2009 |website=saints.com.au |access-date=22 October 2021 |language=en}}</ref> The following two years were similar, finishing second-last in both seasons. During this period, St Kilda recruited players such as [[Justin Koschitzke]], [[Nick Riewoldt]], [[Nick Dal Santo]] and [[Brendon Goddard]] who were mainstays of the team over the following decade.<ref name=Resurgence/> In [[2004 AFL season|2004]], St Kilda won a club record of 10 consecutive matches from round 1 to round 10.<ref name=Resurgence/> The club returned to finals, eventually being defeated by eventual premiers Port Adelaide in a preliminary final.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Founten |first1=Loukas |title=Footy Flashback: Preliminary Final, 2004 |url=https://www.portadelaidefc.com.au/news/45353/footy-flashback-preliminary-final-2004 |website=portadelaidefc.com.au |date=6 July 2018 |access-date=27 May 2021 |language=en}}</ref> The following year saw a similar result, with the club being defeated in a preliminary final by Sydney.<ref>{{cite web |title=Preliminary Final 2005 St Kilda v Sydney - FinalSiren.com |url=https://finalsiren.com/MatchDetails.asp?GameID=4315&Code=2347591d70243bf1e5aa04ed3e626d0b |website=finalsiren.com |access-date=27 May 2021}}</ref> St Kilda's [[2006 St Kilda Football Club season|2006 AFL season]] saw the club finish in sixth position at the end of the home and away rounds and qualify for a third successive finals series. St Kilda were eliminated by Melbourne in the elimination finals.<ref>{{cite web|last=Burgan|first=Matt|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/32181/default.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010012509/http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/32181/default.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 October 2012|title=Saints bow out to Demons|work=afl.com.au|date=8 September 2006|access-date=6 July 2011}}</ref> During this season, Robert Harvey broke the all-time games record for St Kilda when he played in his 324th premiership season match in Round 7. On 11 October 2006, [[Ross Lyon]] was appointed as the new head coach for St Kilda, replacing [[Grant Thomas (footballer)|Grant Thomas]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/Sport/Ross-Lyon-signs-deal-to-coach-St-Kilda/2006/10/11/1160246158255.html|work=The Age|title=Ross Lyon signs deal to coach St Kilda|date=11 October 2006|access-date=4 July 2011}}</ref> After missing finals in [[2007 St Kilda Football Club season|2007]], St Kilda again qualified for the finals in [[2008 St Kilda Football Club season|2008]]. A 108-point win over Essendon in the final home-and-away round saw the club take fourth position for the finals series.<ref>{{cite web|last=Broad|first=Ben|url=http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=66463|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080901195249/http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=66463|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 September 2008|title=Saints soar into top four|work=afl.com.au|date=31 August 2008|access-date=4 July 2011}}</ref> St Kilda were defeated by Geelong in the qualifying finals,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Clayton |first1=Matthew |title=Cats cruise to big win |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/104986/cats-cruise-to-big-win |website=afl.com.au |date=7 September 2008 |access-date=24 October 2021 |language=en}}</ref> defeated Collingwood in the semi-finals<ref>{{cite web|last=Walsh|first=Gary|url=http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=67425|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915225730/http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=67425|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 September 2008|title=St Kilda soar to prelim|work=afl.com.au|date=13 September 2008|access-date=4 July 2011}}</ref> and were eliminated by the eventual premiers, Hawthorn, in the preliminary final.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Price |first1=Matthew |title=Storming Hawks set up '89 GF rematch |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/78573/storming-hawks-set-up-89-gf-rematch |website=afl.com.au |date=20 September 2008 |access-date=24 October 2021 |language=en}}</ref> [[2009 St Kilda Football Club season|St Kilda's 2009 season]] is considered one of the most dominant home-and-away seasons in AFL history.<ref>{{cite web |title=The unluckiest: We rank the clubs who got close without winning a flag |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/392554/the-unluckiest-we-rank-the-clubs-who-got-close-without-winning-a-flag |website=afl.com.au |date=2 May 2020 |access-date=29 June 2021 |language=en}}</ref> The club won 20 gamesβthe best-ever home and away record for the clubβas well as winning 19 games in a row before being defeated by Essendon.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bombers end Saints' winning streak |url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/bombers-end-saints-winning-streak-20090817-ge81nz.html |access-date=24 October 2021 |work=The Age |date=16 August 2009 |language=en}}</ref> In Round 14, [[St Kilda vs Geelong (2009 AFL season)|St Kilda defeated Geelong by six points]], with both teams being undefeated prior to the match.<ref name="Round14 2009">{{cite web |last1=Price |first1=Matthew |last2=Holmesby |first2=Luke |title=Saints edge Cats |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/538252/saints-edge-cats |website=afl.com.au |date=5 July 2009 |access-date=24 October 2021 |language=en}}</ref> The game broke multiple records, including highest-ever crowd for an AFL match at [[Docklands Stadium]] (54,444).<ref name="Round14 2009"/> The game was sold out two weeks in advance,<ref name="SaintsCatsSoldOut">{{cite web|last=Holmesby|first=Luke|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/79127/default.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090623235149/http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/79127/default.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 June 2009|title=Clash between Saints and Cats already sold out|work=AFL.com.au|date=22 June 2009|access-date=4 July 2011}}</ref> causing a change in timeslot (moving from 2:10 pm to 3:10 pm) so that the [[Seven Network]] could broadcast the game live in Victoria.<ref name="SaintsCatsSoldOut"/> St Kilda eventually progressed to [[2009 AFL Grand Final|that year's grand final]], when they were defeated by Geelong by 12 points.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cats crowned 2009 AFL premiers |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-09-26/cats-crowned-2009-afl-premiers/1443354 |access-date=27 May 2021 |work=ABC News |date=26 September 2009 |language=en-AU}}</ref> Following the grand final, Ross Lyon signed a three-year extension to his coaching contract until the end of the [[2012 St Kilda Football Club season|2012 season]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Lyon extends Saints deal |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-12-04/lyon-extends-saints-deal/1168916 |access-date=24 October 2021 |work=ABC News |date=4 December 2009 |language=en-AU}}</ref> The following year, St Kilda experienced a similar level of success, qualifying for the finals in third position. The club recorded their first win against Geelong in a finals match in the 2nd qualifying final and eventually qualified for the [[2010 AFL Grand Final|Grand Final]] against Collingwood. The match ended in a draw β the third drawn grand final in VFL/AFL history.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Zander |first1=Joel |title=Pies and Saints in stunning GF draw |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-09-25/pies-and-saints-in-stunning-gf-draw/2273872 |access-date=24 October 2021 |work=ABC News |date=25 September 2010 |language=en-AU}}</ref> St Kilda midfielder [[Lenny Hayes]] won the [[Norm Smith Medal]] for the player judged best on ground in the match, making him the first St Kilda player to ever win the medal.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hand |first1=Guy |title=Hayes wins Norm Smith Medal |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/hayes-wins-norm-smith-medal-20100925-15rmw.html |access-date=24 October 2021 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=25 September 2010 |language=en}}</ref> Owing to the draw, a second grand final match was played the following week. In the grand final replay, Collingwood won by 56 points.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Phelan |first1=Jason |title=Saints shattered by perfect Magpies storm |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/107290/saints-shattered-by-perfect-magpies-storm |website=afl.com.au |date=2 October 2010 |access-date=24 October 2021 |language=en}}</ref> In December 2010, the club was granted ownership of the Linen House Centre, a new training and administration property in the [[City of Frankston]] at [[Seaford, Victoria|Seaford]] valued at approximate $11 million.<ref>{{cite web|last=George|first=Felicity|url=http://www.saints.com.au/tabid/5315/default.aspx?newsid=106072|title=Saints receive keys for Linen House Centre at Frankston|publisher=Official St Kilda Website|date=9 December 2010|access-date=2 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320014846/http://www.saints.com.au/tabid/5315/default.aspx?newsid=106072 |archive-date= 20 March 2012}}</ref><ref name=Development>{{cite web |last1=Burgan |first1=Matt |title=Saints to move training base to Seaford in 2010 |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/80585/saints-to-move-training-base-to-seaford-in-2010 |website=afl.com.au |date=17 September 2008 |access-date=22 October 2021 |language=en}}</ref> Following the season, the club announced a record net profit of $7.467 million for season 2010.<ref name=Profit>{{cite web |title=Record membership boosts St Kilda's profit |url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/record-membership-boosts-st-kildas-profit-20101217-190gf.html |website=The Age |access-date=27 May 2021 |language=en |date=2010-12-17}}</ref> St Kilda also achieved a new record membership for a single season and were the 2nd-most-watched team on television, rating 22,777,092 viewers across the season.<ref name=Profit/> Following a loss in their 2011 elimination final, Ross Lyon left the club, despite one year remaining on his contract, to coach {{AFL Fre}}.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nial|first1=Jake|last2=Gleeson|first2=Michael|url=http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/lyons-freo-shocker-20110915-1kc0u.html |date=16 September 2011|title=Lyon's Freo shocker |work=The Age|access-date=7 May 2012}}</ref> Former Sydney, Fremantle and West Coast player and Collingwood assistant coach [[Scott Watters]] was announced as Lyon's replacement in October 2011.<ref>{{cite web |agency=Australian Associated Press|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-15/watters-to-coach-st-kilda/3573110 |date=11 October 2011|title=Watters to coach St Kilda |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=7 May 2012}}</ref> ===2012βpresent: post grand finals struggles and rebuild=== The years after the departure of Ross Lyon did not prove fruitful for St Kilda. They failed to make the finals in 2012 for the first time since 2007<ref>{{cite web |last1=Paton |first1=Al |title=St Kilda Saints 2012 Report Card |url=https://amp.couriermail.com.au/sport/afl/st-kilda-2012-report-card/news-story/c0f2375b0a8d1229e93501f2adc1b908 |website=amp.couriermail.com.au |access-date=27 May 2021}}</ref> and continued poor performances that ultimately culminated in the club finishing last in 2014.<ref>{{cite web |title=Adelaide wins final game, Saints finish with wooden spoon |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-31/adelaide-wins-final-game-saints-finish-with-wooden-spoon/5708854 |website=www.abc.net.au |access-date=27 May 2021 |language=en-AU |date=2014-08-31}}</ref> Despite this, the [[2013 St Kilda Football Club season|2013 season]] marked a historic moment for St Kilda and the AFL when St Kilda hosted the first premiership match outside of Australia in [[New Zealand]].<ref name=ANZAC>{{cite web |title=Saints announce historic partnership |url=https://www.saints.com.au/news/758830/saints-announce-historic-partnership |website=saints.com.au |date=12 September 2012 |access-date=30 June 2021 |language=en}}</ref> Following the 2013 season, senior coach [[Scott Watters]] was sacked.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Paxinos |first1=Stathi |last2=Spits |first2=Scott |title=St Kilda coach Scott Watters sacked |url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/st-kilda-coach-scott-watters-sacked-20131101-2wpoa.html |website=The Age |access-date=27 May 2021 |language=en |date=2013-11-01}}</ref> On 14 November, former Port Adelaide director of coaching [[Alan Richardson (footballer, born 1965)|Alan Richardson]] was announced as new senior coach for the next three years.<ref>{{cite web |title=St Kilda appoint Alan Richardson as new coach |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/nov/14/st-kilda-appoint-alan-richardson |website=the Guardian |access-date=27 May 2021 |language=en |date=2013-11-14}}</ref> Following further poor performances in the [[2018 St Kilda Football Club season|2018]] and [[2019 St Kilda Football Club season|2019]] seasons, Richardson was advised that his contract would not be renewed for 2020. As a result, he resigned from his position as senior coach. Assistant coach [[Brett Ratten]] took over as caretaker coach.<ref>{{cite web |title='It's not a job, it's a journey': Richardson's classy response to exit |url=https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/afl-alan-richardson-quits-as-st-kilda-coach-c-290032 |website=7NEWS.com.au |access-date=27 May 2021 |language=en |date=2019-07-16}}</ref> After winning three of the season's last six games, Ratten was appointed permanent senior coach in September 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=Brett Ratten appointed St Kilda's new coach after successful audition |url=https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/brett-ratten-c-437502 |website=7NEWS.com.au |access-date=27 May 2021 |language=en |date=2019-09-05}}</ref> During the 2019 trade period, four high-profile players requested a trade to St Kilda and many discussions were held with other players looking to move.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/saints-are-the-ones-to-watch-this-trade-period-20191008-p52ytz.html|title=Saints are the ones to watch this trade period|last=Niall|first=Jake|date=2019-10-08|website=The Age|access-date=2019-10-10}}</ref> In the [[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports#Australian rules football|COVID-19-shortened]] [[2020 AFL season|2020 season]], the club managed 10 of a possible 17 wins to qualify for their first finals series since 2011.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/three-coaches-three-hqs-and-3296-days-this-is-how-st-kilda-escaped-the-wilderness/news-story/5da989afe43a3df55f86d50222046a73|title=Three coaches, three HQs and 3296 days: This is how St Kilda escaped the wilderness|last=Morris|first=Tom|website=Fox Footy|date=18 September 2020|access-date=7 October 2020}}</ref> During the finals campaign, St Kilda would defeat the Western Bulldogs in an elimination final by 3 points, bringing the first finals victory to the club since 2010 preliminary final against the same opponent. Richmond would later defeat St Kilda by 31 points in the semi-final, ending their campaign. In the following [[2021 St Kilda Football Club season|2021]] season, the club would decline in performance, leading to the club finishing 10th with only a 10β12 record. In the [[2022 St Kilda Football Club season|2022]] season, after starting at an impressive 8-3 record by round 11, the club would then win only three of their last 11, leading to an 11-11 record, finishing 10th once again. On October 14, 2022, senior coach Brett Ratten would be sacked by the club. Former St Kilda coach Ross Lyon would be reinstated as senior coach for the 2023 season. In the [[2023 AFL season|2023 season]], Ross Lyon's first season back as coach, St Kilda would return to the finals, finishing sixth with a 13β10 record. They would be defeated by [[Greater Western Sydney Giants|Greater Western Sydney]] by 24 points in the elimination final. === AFLW involvement === {{main|St Kilda Football Club (AFL Women's)}} In 2017, following the inaugural [[AFL Women's]] (AFLW) season, St Kilda was among eight clubs that applied for licences to enter the competition from 2019 onwards.<ref>{{cite news |last=Schmook |first=Nathan |title=Decision on AFLW expansion delayed |url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-08-29/decision-over-aflw-expansion-delayed |work=afl.com.au |date=29 August 2017 |access-date=5 April 2018}}</ref> In September 2017, the club was announced as one of four clubs to receive a licence to join the competition in [[2020 AFL Women's season|2020]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Black |first=Sarah |title=North and Geelong win AFLW expansion race |url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-09-27/afl-set-to-reveal-new-womens-teams-for-2019 |work=afl.com.au |date=27 September 2017 |access-date=5 April 2018}}</ref>
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