Off the field, the restructuring of the social club and football club administration brought the two parties under the one umbrella after years of bickering, which had been a distraction and drain on resources and energy.

The ongoing links with big names continued with the signing of model Elle McPherson as a No. 1 member. Over the years, that lineage had extended back to long-term Saint fans such as TV legends Graeme Kennedy and Molly Meldrum and visiting stars Cher and Elton John.

While the 1993 Season would be one of mediocrity for the Saints, the Round 4 clash between Collingwood sparked a stand that would go down as one of the most important moments in the game’s history.

Indigenous Saints Nicky Winmar and Gilbert McAdam were subjected to vile, racial abuse from sections of the opposition supporters at Victoria Park. The vitriol was so horrendous, McAdam’s father, who was watching from the stands, left the game before half-time in tears. Rallying together at the break, Winmar and McAdam vowed to emerge triumphant.

McAdam went on to pile on a match-winning five goals, while Winmar racked up 25 touches and a goal of his own to steer the Saints to an emphatic victory at Victoria Park.

Very few could reel in a contested mark like the great Stewart ‘Buckets’ Loewe.

The No. 23 held the record for taking the most marks in the history of the game (2503), before the remarkable feat was overtaken by his heir apparent, Nick Riewoldt.

But his qualities extended beyond just aerial brilliance and giant hands, with his work ethic and commitment to fitness legendary. Loewe was not a natural footballer as a youngster, but worked so hard on his game to utilise his physical attributes to the utmost effect.

From the moment he arrived at St Kilda Nathan Burke was identified as a natural leader and potential captain.

The helmeted hero was earmarked for greatness from virtually the moment he arrived at the club, and he never let anyone down in that regard.

His versatility was demonstrated across his illustrious 323-game career through his ability to star as a winger, back-pocket, midfielder and forward. Burke was a natural leader – before and after his time as captain – and led by example through his toughness and bravery.

The slender 16-year-old on debut grew into a strong, compact footballer whose running capacity was so great that few players could tag him for four quarters. Opposing coaches could only alternate taggers on him for a quarter at a time before they became exhausted.

Harvey surpassed Nathan Burke’s all-time games record in 2006, before adding another 59 games to his tally. It was proof of his longevity, and was funnily enough mirrored by his iconic haircut, which remained unchanged throughout his decorated career.

The No. 35 closed out a career few could only dream of, complete with two Brownlow Medals, eight All Australian selections, induction into the Saints’ Team of the Century and status as a Legend of the St Kilda Football Club.

With a world champion yachting background, it could be said that Andrew Plympton had to navigate even trickier waters during his time as St Kilda’s president in the 1990s.

Along with Stuart Trott and Gerry Ryan, Plympton was part of the core which guided the club through the ‘Save our Saints’ campaign and tin rattle of 1995 as the threat of a merger overshadowed the Saints; a conversation the club was constantly linked to.

He possessed the common touch and never considered any duty below his standing as president, once even helping out as interchange steward at an interstate game.

Robert Harvey had just won his second successive Brownlow, and a memorable Friday night victory in the Preliminary Final meant that the Saints entered the Grand Final as likely victors.

But overpowered by Adelaide – and, more specifically, Darren Jarman who kicked five final-quarter goals – on the big day, the elusive second Premiership slipped away.

The Saints would again make finals in 1998, but that didn’t save the job of Stan Alves. New coach Tim Watson lasted two years before deciding he would be a better fit back in the media.

There was no example clearer than through the eyes of a young Max Hudghton in 2000, who was brought to tears at the final siren after the Saints coughed up a 31-point lead to lose by a point to a fast-finishing Western Bulldogs.

The crushing defeat may have stung, but it was the resolute defender’s reaction which truly resonated. It spoke volumes to the faithful about how much his heart was in it, and how the young stock would do anything and everything for the club and its future success.

A truly defining moment of the era.

Recruited from Southport on the Gold Coast, he was such a standout as a teenager that Brisbane tried to change zone boundaries to secure him.

In truth, Riewoldt was more personally aligned to the state of his birth Tasmania and added to the bloodline of Apple Islanders who have enriched St Kilda’s history for over a century.

The lengths he went to in order to get up for games in the tail-end of his career was extraordinary, but as always, the Riewoldt tank had plenty to give.

Truly a once in a generation player.

Kicking a mountain of goals in his own inimitable style, the mythical ‘G-Train’ grew into a powerhouse cult figure of which had never been seen before.

Gehrig’s piercing stare could petrify even the most unflinching of footballers, and when all 110-plus kilograms of Gehrig came hurtling towards them like a freight train, self-preservation was quick to kick in.

Troy Schwarze may have been a lower profile footballer, but “The Wool “ had special appeal. Nobody could forget his last-minute goal which knocked off a high flying Brisbane at Docklands in 2004… except for his mum who had left the ground early to beat the traffic!

The Saints started the preliminary final against Port Adelaide in slashing style, but their run was broken in the immediate aftermath of one of the game’s traditions.

The customary ground invasion following Gehrig’s 100th goal for the year is still said to have been the moment which killed the Saints’ momentum; the result one goal in favour of the eventual Premiers.

There was no greater chance for the Saints to claim its coveted second Premiership, with a battered, bruised and depleted Brisbane their would-be opponents for the last day in September.

The famed Battle of the Unbeaten is universally hailed as one of the greatest home-and-away clashes of all-time.

Both undefeated after 13 rounds, St Kilda and Geelong squared off in front of a record 54,444 fans at Etihad Stadium.The clash lived up to every expectation with a match that stands in the memory of the participants to this day as the best regular-season game they ever played in. The pressure, the intensity and the quality was unmatched.

Scores were level in the final minute, before a late screamer from Michael Gardiner confirmed an exhilarating triumph.

The two would meet again in that year’s Grand Final. Matthew Scarlett’s late toe-poke and Paul Chapman’s subsequent sealer broke hearts all over, as did the following year’s September against Collingwood.

Hayes’ roost from long-range and Goddard’s iconic screamer and late goal put the red, white and black up by a straight kick with six minutes left on the clock. Had the final result gone the Saints’ way, both would have sat parallel to Breen’s deciding behind from the Saints’ first flag in terms of legendary moments.

With two minutes to play, St Kilda was on the back-foot and trailing by a point. In one final moment of desperation, a tumbling Hayes kick inside-50 bounced over the Collingwood defence; an opportunistic Stephen Milne lying in wait just outside the square.

Milne was centimetres away from putting the Saints one step closer to a stunning triumph much like Barry Breen had almost 50 years prior, before that bounce.