Kane Cornes has declared that a re-energised St Kilda outfit can win a final in 2020.
The Saints have been one of the surprise packets of the season and currently sit in second spot after their thrilling four-point win against Gold Coast on Thursday night.
Cornes also lauded the work of coach Brett Ratten, who is making the most of a second opportunity at AFL after he was sacked as Carlton coach in 2012.
“I think they can win a final but I wouldn’t predict they’ll go any further than that,” Cornes said on SEN’s Crunch Time.
“In saying that, it’s a remarkable achievement to go from 14th to (possibly) winning a final, what they’ve done in rebuilding their list is giving Saints fans hope and that was on the back of a very good trade period which isn’t at the expense of limiting opportunities to players.
“It has reinvigorated the whole club so I think Brett Ratten and (Port Adelaide coach) Ken Hinkley are the two coaches of the year.
“I think there might be a new trend of going to coaches that have been there before to do it again because he’s better the second time around.
“If you’re Don Pyke, Brenton Sanderson or Michael Voss, why not have another crack. There’s been a trend that if you get sacked, you’re done forever and what Brett Ratten has shown is you’re probably going to be a better coach second time around.
“They’ve been one of the real good news stories of the year and I’m loving the way they’re playing.”
St Kilda’s next challenge is against an in-form Geelong on Monday night at the Gabba before they take on Essendon at the same venue on August 16.
