There was no clearer example than in 2015, with the languishing Saints astoundingly overturning a 55-point deficit – led by Jack Billings – from midway through the third quarter to stun the Bulldogs with a record-breaking triumph.

Then a few years later, the barnstorming opening to the 2017 Maddie’s Match shocked the AFL world when the purple, white and black got 82 points ahead at half-time over that year’s eventual Premiers, Richmond.

The under-the-radar backman assumed the captaincy with the weight of expectation on his shoulders. If he felt it, he certainly didn’t let it show. He was a different skipper and player to Roo – gritty and fierce more than elegant and powerful – but their relentless will was one in the same.

St Kilda fell just short of the top-eight in 2017, but with Riewoldt’s retirement at the end of the year, the fabled era of the early 2000s was officially over.

Riewoldt and Montagna’s retirements coincided with the Saints’ nosedive the following season; one remembered for its homecoming to Moorabbin more than anything else.

Over 10,000 days had passed since the red, white and black took to the muddy quagmire of Moorabbin that was once called home; this time, with a wave of trailblazing women leading the charge.

Headlined by a talented young core of Georgia Patrikios, Olivia Vesely, Nicola Xenos, Molly McDonald and so many others under coach Peta Searle, the Saints officially joined the competition in 2020 as an expansion club.

The new generation of Saints came from all walks of life. Some were newcomers to footy, others junior stars with an aptitude to impress. All had their own stories to inspire young women right around the country.

In front of a heaving crowd, 19-year-old Molly McDonald enshrined her name in the record books with the club’s first AFLW goal.

Rewind a staggering 147 years ago to 1873, and McDonald’s moment echoes one almost forgotten memory in St Kilda’s rich history.

James Middleton Macdonald (spelled McDonald in some historical records) became the first ever Saint to kick a goal in the club’s foundation year, almost a century-and-a-half apart from Molly’s ground-breaking major.

The stands remained vacant as Victoria’s lockdowns and quarantines ensued, but if they were filled, the aisles would have been pumping.

Memorable wins at Marvel Stadium were punctuated by the immediate impact of the Saints’ trade pickups, headlined by crafty small forward Dan Butler, and the emergence of future skipper Jack Steele. Amid even the most darkest and uncertain of times, there was reason for hope.

But the game’s future was again under threat. And as Victoria’s restrictions tightened, the Saints were forced to pack their bags to continue the season in the Sunshine State.

St Kilda’s first finals appearance since 2011 had the heart-rates rising. It had been a march into October done in emphatic fashion, but it would be for nought without a win.

The Saints came to play. Battle-hardened skipper Jarryn Geary was swung forward – as he had throughout the year – to bag two majors, one of which came at a crucial time in the last quarter as the Dogs bit back late.

Geary was the only Saint to have tasted finals action in Saints colours, only ever feeling defeat from nine years prior.

When RSEA Park was first constructed, Frawley would joke how no room, wing or part of the building was named after him.

He’d be chuffed to know his name is now plastered on the side of the Danny Frawley Centre for Health and Wellbeing, but more so how there is now a place for the community to speak openly and honestly about their mental health.

The multi-million-dollar facility – which sits in the Saints’ heartland – comes complete with a recovery centre, consulting suites, gym, pool and much more for the club and community’s use; not only celebrating Spud’s life, but the legacy he left behind.

Kicking off the season with an 8-3 record, the red, white and black looked to have rekindled its flair from two seasons prior.

Spearheaded by the brilliance of the rejuvenated Jack Sinclair and aided by the proficiency of first-years Marcus Windhager, Mitch Owens, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and mature-ager Jack Hayes, St Kilda was on track for another September feature.

The post-bye capitulation saw finals slip by yet again, with another surprise coming in the form of Ross Lyon’s return to the senior coaching ranks by season’s end.

The ones whose loyalty has never faltered. Voices hoarse, passionate hearts always on their sleeves.

The ones who have lived and breathed our mantra season after season, doing the club proud through triumph and tragedy. Fortius Quo Fidelius.

The ones who have stood by us through thick and thin, have pulled on the colours with pride, and will do so again, and again, and again.

We wouldn’t have them any other way, the faithful. And we wouldn’t be here without them.