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"Healthy nastiness": Are St Kilda the new Geelong?
SEN • August 28th, 2025 10:00 am
Are the Saints poised to become the “new Geelong” given the bold moves they have already made in updating their list?
Fresh from Tom De Koning signing on for a reported $1.8 million a year and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera becoming the AFL’s first $2 million man, the raid on other clubs to bolster their own looks set to continue from St Kilda.
And Kane Cornes is here for it.
“What I love about this from Saints is this era is so nice, everyone’s too scared to offend a management group or a club,” Cornes said on SEN Breakfast.
“Everyone treads on eggs shells, they don’t bid on players in the draft because of the father-son.
“There’s a healthy level of nastiness about what St Kilda are doing. I don’t mean nastiness in the true term.
“They’re combative and they’re not afraid to step on toes in order to get the club where it has to be.
“It feels like they are the new Geelong in that they’re into anyone. You’ve got to love it.
“So many clubs sign players willy-nilly, they are putting forward deals they think players deserve.”
Cornes’ co-host Tom Morris agreed that the aggressive approach from the club was refreshing.
“Saints are sick of sitting back and seeing other clubs pick up players,” he said.
“If they put noses out of joint then so be it. Saints fans would enjoy that impatience. They have in the past been too patient.
“They want to get better quick and accelerate this as fast as they can.”
Despite forking out almost 20 per cent of the 2026 salary cap on two big names already, there’s an extensive shopping list being linked with the Saints, according to Morris who ran the rule over linked names.
NAMES ON ST KILDA’S LIST/RADAR
Leek Aleer – They should get from GWS via trade and not have to give up much for him.
NWM (done deal): That was the big fish, the one that had to do.
TDK (done deal) in as a free agent big money.
Liam Ryan – I think they will get as well even though manager has said other clubs are keen but Saints is the club for him I think.
Windhager – they need to re-sign him, he wants four years and North have offered five.
Sam Flanders – contracted at the Suns until 2027.
Cam McKenzie – Contracted at Hawthorn, they would ask for Saints first pick which is No 7.
