IT WAS a season all about looking toward the future for St Kilda, with new coach Nick Dal Santo at the helm and key players missing. 

The Saints lost their first seven games of the year - albeit three of those losses were by five points or less - before breaking through for a three-point win in round eight. 

Over the next few weeks, womens.afl will look at each of the seasons of the 14 AFLW teams in reverse ladder order. 

Coach: Nick Dal Santo 

Leadership group: Hannah Priest (captain), Rhiannon Watt, Kate Shierlaw (co-vice captains), Bianca Jakobsson, Tilly Lucas-Rodd 

2021 home and away finishing position: 13th, two wins and eight losses, 53.1 per cent 

Best team performance: Although a loss, the Saints pushed reigning premiers Brisbane right to the final siren in round six, ultimately losing 3.13 (31) to 4.2 (26). The winless Saints adapted to the conditions faster than their opponents and held the Lions goalless for three of the four quarters. Their defensive unit stood strong and in attack they went at 50 per cent in front of goal. 

Best individual performance: Tilly Lucas-Rodd stood strong in the midfield all season, but against Geelong in round nine she shone. Lucas-Rodd registered 22 disposals, ten tackles and won 12 clearances - the equal-second most in AFLW history - to dominate the midfield, which ultimately led to the first back-to-back wins in St Kilda's history. Lucas-Rodd also became one of just four players to register 10+ clearances, 10+ contested possessions and 10+ tackles in a game. 

NAB AFLW Rising Star nominations: Nil 

Debutants: Lucy Burke, Leah Cutting, Ella Friend, Ashleigh Richards (AFLW debut), Alana Woodward (club debut) 

Retirees: Yet to be announced 

Delistings: Yet to be announced 

Most improved: It's hard to go past what Lucas-Rodd did this year after only learning of her move to the midfield a month before the season began. In the absence of key midfielders Tyanna Smith and Georgia Patrikios, Lucas-Rodd took charge on the ball, averaging 20.1 disposals, seven tackles, 2.3 inside 50s and 4.2 clearances - all career highs. 

Star recruit: While not technically a new recruit, Nicola Xenos' return to the field after an ACL injury had her watching on from the sidelines in 2021 was vital for the Saints. Playing almost exclusively in the forward line, Xenos' intent and defensive pressure added an important dimension for St Kilda inside 50. Leading her side with six goals, she also averaged 3.9 tackles and 1.6 score involvements. 

Unsung hero: Captain Hannah Priest's work rate and and consistency is enviable. Her relentless nature has held up the Saints' defence over the last three seasons, with this year no different. Priest registered 59 intercepts - the second most at the club - while also periodically impacting through the middle and in attack, kicking her first ever AFLW goal and delivering the ball inside 50 13 times. 

What worked:

• Some key positional changes were made to help cover the absence of important players, unearthing some real talent in the process. Lucas-Rodd's move to the midfield has been well documented, and the aforementioned Priest spent more time on the ball than she has in the past. Tarni White was another who graduated to the midfield, impacting more in attack than she ever has before, while Darcy Guttridge found herself impacting on the wing at times. 

What needs improvement:

• In an off season where it will be tougher than ever to sign first class talent, the Saints will no doubt be on the hunt for players with an added level of class with the ball after averaging the third worst disposal efficiency in the competition, hitting a target just 59.1 per cent of the time. 
• That poor ball use extended to their attack, as the Saints averaged the lowest scoring efficiency (36.1 per cent) and goal efficiency (11.8 per cent) in the competition. Developing strategies to make better use of the opportunities they create in attack should be a high priority. 
• Another area where the Saints were regularly on the back foot was in the ruck. Giving up emerging ruck Poppy Kelly during the preseason, the combination of free agent Leah Cutting and vice captain Rhiannon Watt wasn't particularly strong, averaging just 18 hit outs per game, leading to an average of just 18.7 clearances - both the lowest in the league. 

Early call for next season: Bringing in some more support in the middle with the aim of finding better connection between the midfield and forward line will provide Saints fans with some exciting moments, but ultimately they will remain a team in development. 

Season rating: 4/10 

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