Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Callum Wilkie and Jack Sinclair have won the race to lead St Kilda into its next era.
The reliable defenders will replace Jack Steele, who departed the club for more consistent opportunity at Melbourne during the trade period.
Wilkie has played 155 AFL games since he was drafted as a mature-age player out of South Australia.
A barometer of consistency and durability, Wilkie’s lowest tally of games across those seven seasons was 19 in the shortened 2020 Covid campaign.
He was All Australian in 2023 and took out the coveted Trevor Barker Award as the club’s best and fairest in 2024.
Sinclair, meanwhile, has claimed that award and All Australian honours twice across his 210 senior matches.
His elevation to captain comes just days after he represented Victoria in the revived State of Origin match.
Wilkie and Sinclair take the reins ahead of an exciting season for the Saints after a busy off-season.
The Saints welcomed Tom De Koning, Liam Ryan, Sam Flanders and Jack Silvagni in a pointed attempt to return to September.
“Cal and Jack have earned the trust of this playing group,” St Kilda general manager Lenny Hayes said.
“They’re consistent, resilient and completely team-first in everything they do and together, they represent the work ethic and accountability we want this football club to be known for.”
St Kilda hosts Collingwood at the MCG in Opening Round.
