RICHO’S TOP 10: St Kilda Saints should go after an AFL midfield star like Zak Butters over Tom De Koning

1. While Tom De Koning would be a great addition for the Saints next year, you have to ask: is he the player they really need?

They already have a very good ruckman in Rowan Marshall. They’ve got Max King, Cooper Sharman, Mitch Owens and Anthony Caminiti in the forward line, so they look well-stocked for tall forwards. What they really need is an A-grade inside and outside midfielder with speed. Zak Butters comes to mind. Would the $1.7 million a year be better spent on a player like him? Food for thought.

2. I don’t know if a 20th AFL franchise will ever be granted to the Northern Territory. It would be a great move to truly make the AFL a national competition.

But before then, I know one thing: the Gold Coast Suns should be looking to play more games in Darwin as they continue to make it a fortress. After the terrific win last Saturday night against the Dogs, they’ve now won seven games in a row in Darwin. They have a chance to make it eight against the Hawks tonight. It really does feel like this is the moment for the Suns to shine under lights against a very good opposition, with a chance to consolidate a top-four spot having played a game less than the rest of the top eight. If they have seven wins with 14 games to go, it would be hard for them to miss the finals (their first September campaign) from that position. They clearly love playing in Darwin and have embraced it as a home away from home.

3. The Blues have now won four of their last five games, and tomorrow night they face another important test against the struggling Swans at the SCG.

A major factor in those four wins has been the emergence of Jack Silvagni as a genuine key defender. He didn’t play in the game they lost against the Crows. He is never beaten in a one-on-one contest and wins it back in the air for his team. This has allowed Nick Haynes to get back to his best as an intercept defender as well. Jacob Weitering suddenly has a lot of help down back. A win tomorrow night and the Blues are right back in the hunt.

4. At the other end of the field, the Swans are at a critical stage in their season.

A loss to the Blues and last year’s grand finalists will be 3–7. History suggests it’s very hard to play finals from that position. You’d need to go 10–3 over the last 13 to make the top eight. The Swans have serious problems in the key forward positions, with only one goal by a tall forward in the narrow loss to Essendon. To get back on the winners’ list, they’re going to need Chad Warner and Isaac Heeney to get on the scoreboard frequently. Both went goalless last week. If they don’t kick some goals, the Swans are in real trouble.

5. In my time in football, the hardest road trip was the shortest one — the drive down to Kardinia Park to play the Cats.

They never lose at home. Unless they’re playing the GWS Giants, who have now won an extraordinary five games in a row in Geelong. In that time, since 2018, the Cats have only lost seven games in total to other teams — twice to Fremantle and the Dogs, and once to Carlton, Melbourne and Port Adelaide. Unbelievable effort by the Giants, who arrested a three-game losing streak to win arguably one of the best games of the season, 105–101 on Sunday.

6. What a ripping player the Cats have on their hands in Ollie Dempsey.

An incredible statistic from Champion Data shows how well he’s playing in 2025. Since 1999, Dempsey has the most goals by a winger in the first nine rounds with 15 goals. He can run and kick, takes a hanger, and has great footy smarts. I just love his game.

7. Just a subtle reminder to AFL clubs that stability normally brings success.

The best example of this in professional sports is the Pittsburgh Steelers. They’ve had three head coaches since 1969 and are always in NFL play-off contention. Mike Tomlin is heading into season 19 in charge. Richmond could have moved on from Dimma after seven seasons but didn’t. Three flags followed, showing that staying on course pays off in the long run.

8. Another game, another frustrating night for Fremantle last Thursday.

All the raw numbers would tell you they should have won comfortably against the Pies. It was a win put simply down to the superior connectivity and playing system of Collingwood. They bring pressure, force a turnover, and then punish with that connection back to goal. They are superbly well-drilled and coached by Craig McRae.

9. Do yourself a favour and read the release from the Tasmanian Devils on the must-have new stadium.

There are too many points to mention in this column, but put simply, the biggest takeaway for me is that if it doesn’t get built and Tassie doesn’t then get an AFL team, it will be one of the biggest blunders in Tasmanian history.

10. This week’s edition of fine wine is one of those ageing Pies. Jamie Elliott was sublime against Fremantle.

He has always been a unique small forward as he can do it all. But his best asset is his marking ability for his size. He is at his best in his 14th season with 22 goals so far and on target to surpass his highest total of 39 goals in a season. What a gun he is. A maiden All-Australian selection could be on the cards. He would be one of the first picked if I were a selector.