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St Kildas Off-Season Shaped by Surgery, Coaching Moves and Ruck-Market Speculation
St Kilda’s off‑season is already a busy agenda, with surgery plans, coaching moves, and ruck‑market speculation taking centre stage. The club’s senior coach, Ross Lyon, said the group of eight players will undergo procedures this summer, while assistant coach Corey Enright has begun talks with Collingwood about his future. Meanwhile, ruckman Rowan Marshall’s contract status has prompted speculation about a possible trade.
The Saints finished the 2026 AFL season in 11th place, recording ten wins and a percentage of 102.8 %. That result left the coaching staff and players focused on rebuilding ahead of the next campaign, while the club’s 60‑year premiership drought remained a backdrop to every off‑season decision.
According to Lyon, the eight players slated for surgery include high‑profile recruits Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni. “I haven’t got them all; I think it’s about eight. I think that’s about standard, unfortunately,” Lyon said. He added that “there’s no surgery that’s without risk of infection, so we’re not flippant; it’s important they get to it early and take as much rehab time as they can to get fit.” The Saints’ medical team will coordinate the procedures and recovery schedules.
Coaching uncertainty is also on the agenda. Corey Enright, who has served as St Kilda’s defence coach for five years, is out of contract. After being overlooked for the senior coaching role at Carlton, Enright has met with Collingwood’s coaching staff to explore his options for 2027 and beyond. Lyon commented on Enright’s situation: “Everything’s transient, and nothing’s forever. We respect and work really well with Corey; he’s been here five years, I think… Corey’s such a good person that, at the right time, he will talk to us, whether he’s going to stay. It’s good that he’s in demand.” The Saints have expressed a desire to keep Enright, but the coach remains focused on his current role.
Rowan Marshall, a key ruckman for St Kilda, is contracted until the end of 2027. Despite his contract, Marshall could seek a trade. According to Lyon, “Not something I’ve thought about. I’ve been preparing on a weekly basis. He’s contracted. I know what occurred last year. I don’t know what tomorrow brings.” Marshall’s future has drawn interest from Geelong, which has reportedly approached the player and his representatives. Geelong’s interest is part of a broader ruck‑market trend, with several clubs looking to strengthen their tall stocks. Marshall’s ability to play forward and dominate in the air makes him an attractive target, but the Saints have not confirmed any trade package.
St Kilda’s 2026 campaign ended with a percentage that placed them above the bottom of the ladder, but the club’s long‑standing premiership drought remains a backdrop to the off‑season activities. The Saints’ senior coach, Ross Lyon, returned to the club for a second stint in 2022 after a previous tenure from 2007 to 2011. His experience is seen as a stabilising factor as the club navigates coaching and player changes.
The Saints will use the off‑season to address the injuries of the eight players slated for surgery and to assess the future of key personnel such as Enright and Marshall. The club’s next steps will determine its competitiveness in the 2027 season and its position in the AFL’s evolving ruck‑market. The off‑season will also see the Saints preparing for the upcoming draft and potential trade period, as the club seeks to build a roster capable of breaking its long premiership drought.
In summary, St Kilda’s off‑season is defined by a focus on player rehabilitation, coaching uncertainty, and a potentially significant ruck trade. The club’s ability to manage these elements will shape its prospects for the next AFL season.
The Saints finished the 2026 AFL season in 11th place, recording ten wins and a percentage of 102.8 %. That result left the coaching staff and players focused on rebuilding ahead of the next campaign, while the club’s 60‑year premiership drought remained a backdrop to every off‑season decision.
According to Lyon, the eight players slated for surgery include high‑profile recruits Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni. “I haven’t got them all; I think it’s about eight. I think that’s about standard, unfortunately,” Lyon said. He added that “there’s no surgery that’s without risk of infection, so we’re not flippant; it’s important they get to it early and take as much rehab time as they can to get fit.” The Saints’ medical team will coordinate the procedures and recovery schedules.
Coaching uncertainty is also on the agenda. Corey Enright, who has served as St Kilda’s defence coach for five years, is out of contract. After being overlooked for the senior coaching role at Carlton, Enright has met with Collingwood’s coaching staff to explore his options for 2027 and beyond. Lyon commented on Enright’s situation: “Everything’s transient, and nothing’s forever. We respect and work really well with Corey; he’s been here five years, I think… Corey’s such a good person that, at the right time, he will talk to us, whether he’s going to stay. It’s good that he’s in demand.” The Saints have expressed a desire to keep Enright, but the coach remains focused on his current role.
Rowan Marshall, a key ruckman for St Kilda, is contracted until the end of 2027. Despite his contract, Marshall could seek a trade. According to Lyon, “Not something I’ve thought about. I’ve been preparing on a weekly basis. He’s contracted. I know what occurred last year. I don’t know what tomorrow brings.” Marshall’s future has drawn interest from Geelong, which has reportedly approached the player and his representatives. Geelong’s interest is part of a broader ruck‑market trend, with several clubs looking to strengthen their tall stocks. Marshall’s ability to play forward and dominate in the air makes him an attractive target, but the Saints have not confirmed any trade package.
St Kilda’s 2026 campaign ended with a percentage that placed them above the bottom of the ladder, but the club’s long‑standing premiership drought remains a backdrop to the off‑season activities. The Saints’ senior coach, Ross Lyon, returned to the club for a second stint in 2022 after a previous tenure from 2007 to 2011. His experience is seen as a stabilising factor as the club navigates coaching and player changes.
The Saints will use the off‑season to address the injuries of the eight players slated for surgery and to assess the future of key personnel such as Enright and Marshall. The club’s next steps will determine its competitiveness in the 2027 season and its position in the AFL’s evolving ruck‑market. The off‑season will also see the Saints preparing for the upcoming draft and potential trade period, as the club seeks to build a roster capable of breaking its long premiership drought.
In summary, St Kilda’s off‑season is defined by a focus on player rehabilitation, coaching uncertainty, and a potentially significant ruck trade. The club’s ability to manage these elements will shape its prospects for the next AFL season.
