Coached by Brett Ratten and co-captained by Jarryn Geary and Jack Steele, they are competing in the AFL's 2021 Premiership Season.
[4] The revised dates are: On 21 October, Adelaide midfielder Brad Crouch nominated the Saints as his preferred destination during the Free Agency Period following a contract offer from the club.
Crouch is a 'Restricted Free Agent' under AFL rules, meaning the Crows can match the contract offer from the Saints to force a trade.
Crouch had also attracted interest from Geelong, Richmond and Port Adelaide, although it is understood that only the Saints were prepared to offer a five-year contract.
[12] Adelaide stated publicly that a compensation pick of anything less than #2 in the AFL Draft would result in the Crows matching the bid to force a trade.
[17] Prior to the conclusion of the 2020 season, it was reported that the Saints were interested in current North Melbourne and former Western Bulldogs player Shaun Higgins as well as GWS youngster Jye Caldwell.
[19] Chief Operating Officer Simon Lethlean said of the upcoming trade period that "it's a busy time of year and we'll be as active as we can be to find players that compliment [sic] us.
[25] In early February 2021, former North Melbourne forward Mason Wood was added to the Saints' playing group during the pre-season Supplemental Selection Period.
On 2 June, the Saints' added junior ruckman Max Heath and forward Cooper Sharman at the 2021 AFL mid-season rookie draft.
As with previous years, the AAMI Community Series sees many teams playing at small suburban or country venues.
The Saints were due to play matches in the northern Perth suburb of Leederville and at their spiritual home of Moorabbin Oval (currently known as RSEA Park due to naming sponsorship), however, the AFL announced on 31 January that the Community Series would be revised "to protect the health and safety of the competition and the community by reducing travel ahead of the Toyota AFL Premiership Season.
[33] It was announced in early March that Ruckman Paddy Ryder would temporarily step away from the club to spend time with his family and elders.
[The players] were told that post-game.”[41] Former Captain and club legend Nick Riewoldt questioned the playing group in the media, suggesting that he could tell early in the game that the players “weren't interested in the contest” and keen on treating it like “an athletics carnival”[42] Riewoldt added that "it's not a dog-hungry group...the complete disregard or (lack of) desire to defend on four occasions now (in those heavy defeats) and give defensive effort is there for us all to see.
We haven't got all the answers right now, but searching for them, and we're not in denial.”[44] President Andrew Basat issued a letter members on 24 May, writing that:"losing by over 50 points for the fourth time this season in the space of 10 games is not just disappointing, but unacceptable.
"[45]Despite the promise to make big changes ahead of the round 11 game against North Melbourne, the Saints only made two omissions (fringe players Lonie and Bytel) in addition to three forced injury changes (Clark, Frawley, McKernan).
The selection decision was questioned by some in the media, particularly given one of the omissions, junior Jack Bytel, had been in good form over the past month while bigger name players who had been under scrutiny had been left in the side.
They (the latest injuries) all happened yesterday so it threw probably some of our plans out....There has been some harder conversations this week about making sure that their performance is to the level, otherwise maybe they are on their last chance before they get put out of the team.
"[48] In June, the club and players held a further internal review to address the disappointing efforts of the team and poor inacurracy in front of goal.
[49] With the team at 5-8 and with intense media criticism, the Saints held another 'raw' review in Sydney with coaches and players discussing the lack of effort and the need to improve in order to be a 'dynasty club'.
[49] The Saints coaches also addressed members following the Round 13 capitulation against cellar-dwellers Adelaide, after the team blew a 36-point margin in the third quarter to end up losing by six points.
At the conclusion of the season, Ratten was optimistic that the Saints could return to finals in 2022: "It's (mid-season honesty sessions) dangerous when you do it in that period and are open and honest.
The 2021 Leadership Group comprises:[81] Team selection of the St Kilda Football Club for the 2021 AFL season as of 22 August 2021.