![Sidelined: St Kilda's Leigh Montagna will be ready to play in round one.](/web/20170222223306im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/h/p/8/j/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.guhomd.png/1487646321555.jpg)
St. Kilda Saints
![Sidelined: St Kilda's Leigh Montagna will be ready to play in round one.](/web/20170222223306im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/h/p/8/j/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.guhomd.png/1487646321555.jpg)
Carlisle, Ryder set for AFL returns
![Return to footy: Jake Carlisle.](/web/20170222223306im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/j/z/v/n/image.related.landscape.120x80.guhli0.png/1487642190267.jpg)
St Kilda defender Jake Carlisle and Port Adelaide ruckman Patrick Ryder are in line to make their long-awaited returns to senior footy this week after being named in their respective clubs' practice match squads.
How the Saints hope to march into the finals
![Paddy McCartin and Sam Fisher show their style during a St Kilda training session.](/web/20170222223306im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/g/s/i/q/image.related.landscape.120x80.gufwaq.png/1487388795897.jpg)
St Kilda will preach a more direct and long-kicking game plan as they look to surge into the finals for the first time in six years.
Frawley: Carlisle capable of being All Australian
![Jake Carlisle 'hasn't missed a beat since January'.](/web/20170222223306im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/j/z/v/n/image.related.landscape.120x80.guetjx.png/1487232979868.jpg)
St Kilda great Danny Frawley says Jake Carlisle has the capability of quickly being in contention for All-Australian selection in his return to football after a year-long anti-doping suspension.
Hickey, Dunstan to remain Saints until end of 2019
![Luke Dunstan](/web/20170222223306im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/8/b/k/s/image.related.landscape.120x80.gudvk0.png/1487148719376.jpg)
St Kilda ruckman Tom Hickey and midfielder Luke Dunstan will remain at the club at least until the end of 2019.
Sporting fairytales: Some unlikely scenarios to ponder in 2017
![Nick Kyrgios was booed off after his five set loss to Andreas Seppi.](/web/20170222223306im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/u/5/i/1/image.related.landscape.120x80.gu7oiv.png/1486696566828.jpg)
We saw the best of sport in 2016, a year boasting some remarkable sporting fairytales. Here's a look into the crystal ball to ponder some sporting scenarios that, yes, may seem unlikely now but should they somehow eventuate, might leave you smiling again.
Geary a unanimous choice to be Saints skipper
![New skipper: Jarryn Geary is "incredibly competitive".](/web/20170222223306im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/8/3/p/t/image.related.landscape.120x80.gu83k9.png/1486520725645.jpg)
St Kilda coach Alan Richardson says Jarryn Geary had unanimous support from his teammates to succeed Nick Riewoldt as captain.
AFL's secret trials have the potential to revolutionise the game
![Congestion in the pack during a Collingwood-Bulldogs game last season. The AFL feels it is increasing this year.](/web/20170222223306im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/z/q/x/2/j/image.related.landscape.120x80.gu36uv.png/1485982920516.jpg)
The AFL has conducted further secret trials in a bid to eradicate congestion, with 16-a-side being tested in club practice matches in a bold move that could revolutionise the game.
Secret trial: AFL uses Saints as zone guinea pigs
![Is a St Kilda training session a sign of things to come?](/web/20170222223306im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/1/r/o/0/image.related.landscape.120x80.gu1me1.png/1485775060375.jpg)
The AFL has secretly trialled the use of zones in a clandestine joint venture with St Kilda which took place last week at Seaford.
Geary to be named Saints captain
![Top Gear: Jarryn Geary will captain St Kilda in 2017.](/web/20170222223306im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/1/j/t/h/image.related.landscape.120x80.gu1jfl.png/1486480548311.jpg)
St Kilda will unveil Jarryn Geary as its new captain in the coming days putting an official end to the Nick Riewoldt leadership era.
Saints move a 'kick up the bum' for Brown
![New Saint Nathan Brown says it was the right time for him to move.](/web/20170222223306im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/q/t/u/3/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtqoer.png/1484271764356.jpg)
Moving to St Kilda was the "kick up the bum" premiership defender Nathan Brown needed after 10 seasons at Collingwood.
Montagna endorses Geary as next Saints captain
![Jarryn Geary: Heading the shortlist to be the next St Kilda captain, says Leigh Montagna.](/web/20170222223306im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/r/9/7/b/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtq1nv.png/1484189075858.jpg)
St Kilda veteran Leigh Montagna has anointed the unassuming Jarryn Geary as the "front runner" to become the Saints' next captain.
Best of the best: The top 10 games of 2016
![Geelong v Hawthorn](/web/20170222223306im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/e/x/w/g/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtf4eq.png/1482219080143.jpg)
The 2016 AFL season saw great comebacks, neck and neck tussles, and several kicks to win games, one in a final no less. These, in our view, were the 10 best games of 2016.
Saint detained, fined for being drunk in a public place
![Luke Dunstan](/web/20170222223306im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/8/b/k/s/image.related.landscape.120x80.gt8bo3.png/1481354023740.jpg)
St Kilda's Luke Dunstan has been fined by police after being drunk in a public place early Saturday morning.
Saints lock in exciting youngster Gresham
![Fresh Gresh: Jade Gresham has re-signed with the Saints.](/web/20170222223306im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/7/o/1/4/image.related.landscape.120x80.gt80nh.png/1481277025216.jpg)
Emerging St Kilda forward Jade Gresham is eyeing more time in the Saints' midfield after re-signing with the club until the end of 2019.
Clubs worried AFL will move goalposts on women's league
![Daisy Pearce (far right) with fellow players and potential future stars at the launch of the league.](/web/20170222223306im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/p/j/h/1/n/image.related.landscape.120x80.gt80tn.png/1481271148024.jpg)
The AFL now looks highly unlikely to expand its eight-team national women's competition until at least 2019 in a move which has placed it at odds with a number of losing bidder clubs who believe they have been misled.
Baby keeps Riewoldt away from Saints' training camp
![Nick Riewoldt (middle)](/web/20170222223306im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/3/5/x/7/image.related.landscape.120x80.gt2qub.png/1480650791687.jpg)
While the bulk of St Kilda's list headed to New Zealand this week for a pre-season camp, six-time best and fairest Nick Riewoldt has stayed in Melbourne.
Richardson's search for football enlightenment
![Alan Richardson](/web/20170222223306im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/3/7/e/a/image.related.landscape.120x80.gt2kjx.png/1480716646446.jpg)
Saints coach turned to an ashram in the foothills of the Himalayas in a bid to improve his self-control.
Hole in Riewoldt family remains as charity cricket match launched
![Nick Riewoldt has a hit as Gemma Triscari, Emma Inglis, Jess Cameron and Alana King field at the MCG on Friday.](/web/20170222223306im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/2/n/h/3/image.related.landscape.120x80.gt2nsv.png/1480656393955.jpg)
The hole in the lives of the Riewoldt family where their daughter and sister should be is more noticeable this time of year.
AFL gambling: Pokies yes, bookies no, says Saints chief
![Finnis says phasing out pokies is on the club's agenda in the longer term.](/web/20170222223306im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/f/q/c/r/image.related.landscape.120x80.gt0hm4.png/1480465721474.jpg)
While the league is fast-tracking a gaming revenue policy, St Kilda's chief executive Matt Finnis still sees the club benefitting from poker machines.