‘Concerns me the most’: One AFL team Lloyd says is stuck in no-man’s-land

Following the AFL trade period, Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd has labelled St Kilda as the team he is most concerned about going into 2027.

The Saints were the most active team in last year’s trade period, spending big money and draft capital to acquire the likes of Tom De Koning, Jack Silvagni, Sam Flanders and Liam Ryan.

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon. via Getty Images

However, one year on, they were far less active. St Kilda traded star ruckman Rowan Marshall to Geelong for pick No.14 and acquired fringe Brisbane midfielder Sam Marshall for a future first-rounder.

After finishing 11th in 2026, Lloyd doesn’t believe the Saints have done enough to improve their list, but feels they are a team that needs to make finals and have a big say next season.

It will be coach Ross Lyon’s fifth year at the helm since re-joining the club. They have not played finals since his first season back in 2023.

When asked which AFL team finds itself in no-man's-land following the trade period, Lloyd was comfortable throwing St Kilda into that box.

"I don't know what they're going to do," Lloyd told 3AW.

"The last thing Ross Lyon needs is another year of finishing 12th.

"They must win a final next year, but I don't know if they will.

"Their forward line, they didn't improve it. They're reliant on Max King who just can't get out there.

“Their best and fairest was won by Cal Wilkie again and Jack Silvagni was second. I’m not sure their midfield has enough growth.

"They're the side that concerns me most."

St Kilda will also need to once again re-sign star midfielder Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera in 2027, with his two-year, $4m contract running out at the end of the season.

Breakout forward Max Hall will also need a sizeable pay rise, given he also comes out of contract and will be firmly on Tasmania’s radar.

They will be hoping King’s body finally holds up for a season, after the key forward managed just one game in 2026 and 24 total since 2022.