AFL

The 2027 season is looming as a significant one for St Kilda and the club as a whole, according to Fox Footy’s Ben Dixon.

Read more AFL

With the Saints finally saying goodbye to Rowan Marshall, they haven’t been linked with many others this offseason, and that could be a problem.

We know that Wanganeen-Milera and Ross Lyon are coming out of contract, and that is two big pillars of what the Saints are trying to do.

So that puts a lot of pressure on the Saints to not just be good in 2027, but a finals team as well.

MORE: North Melbourne reportedly going all-in on Swans star with monster deal

And for Dixon, he was on Fox Footy’s Trading Day and issued a warning to the Saints of what they might become if they fail to deliver in 2027.

“Where does it leave the Saints? Last year they had such a off-season bringing in ‘TDK’ (De Koning) and Silvagni,” Dixon said via Fox Sports. “It’s not aligning great for the Saints sitting back right now. ‘Nas’ (Wanganeen-Milera) coming out of contract, Ross is out of contract.

Read more Cocks & Robbers Slot Review

“You’ve got to be careful if you’re trading and the Saints are your destination, because it could be a slide to the footy cemetery based on what’s going to happen (in 2027). If they don’t perform, it’s massive.”

Are Saints under pressure in 2027?

You can certainly make that case, yes.

With Wanganeen-Milera coming out of contract, the Saints will want to become a finals team in the hopes they can get him to sign a long-term deal, and that would also mean Lyon stays on.

But if things fail and the Saints miss out on the finals, what that could mean for the future of the pair is something St Kilda fans likely don’t want to think about.

So, it will be a fascinating storyline to follow because the Saints were thought to be one of the big improvers last season. They weren’t.

Now, as eyes turn towards 2027, the pressure is on to make the finals, because if they don’t, the fallout could be huge.

Read more NFL Tells Supreme Court Sports Prediction Markets Belong Under State Gambling Laws