Brendon Goddard has named the type of player St Kilda needs most, while also criticising the club’s “desperate” decision to recruit Brad Crouch last season.
The Saints struggled throughout much of 2021 and couldn’t reach the heights expected of them, labouring into 10th spot on the ladder after playing finals last year.
While they have recruited heavily in the last couple of off-seasons, Goddard believes they miss someone to partner young tall Max King in the forward line.
“For mine, it’s another key forward,” he told AFL Trade Radio’s Trade Mornings when asked who the Saints need.
“We know that the King twins are on the radar in terms of the future for St Kilda, there are no certainties obviously around that.
“A second key forward, a legitimate key forward, that’ll only complement what they already have and I think Tim Membrey will seriously blossom as that third key forward.”
Goddard was also critical of the choices the club has made in building their midfield.
Crouch, 27, left Adelaide as a free agent after the 2020 season to sign a five-year deal at the Saints.
He played 20 games in his first year at the club, averaging 26 disposals and five clearances a game throughout 2021.
However, the Saints champion believes Crouch doesn’t add to Brett Ratten’s midfield and says the club would have got a better deal recruiting a midfielder this off-season instead.
“I’m going to be really critical, I think they went too early and got a little bit desperate on Crouch,” Goddard said.
“He’s a good player, but just in terms of what they actually needed and the balance through that midfield, you talk about Jack Steele, Jade Gresham, Zak Jones … Seb Ross, (and now) Crouch, the balance for mine in heavily weighted towards that inside, lack of run (type of player).
“I just felt like they got a bit desperate, they could have been more patient, they obviously felt like nothing was coming in the next couple of years.
“If they had their time again, the Hawthorn players being thrown around (this trade period), you can arguably say Jaeger O’Meara would have fit that mould (that they need) if they held out on Crouch.
“Now they don’t really have any flexibility there unless they move on some of those players.”
The Saints have been quiet throughout this year’ trade period and currently hold picks 9, 62, 66, 67 and 85 in the National Draft.