Ramsden: A lot of similarities between Saints and Hawks

Max Ramsden sees some similarities between new side St Kilda and former club Hawthorn.

The 203cm, 23-year-old ruckman was delisted by the Hawks in mid-October, before the Saints signed him as a delisted free agent during the week.

Ramsden, who was initially picked up in the 2022 mid-season draft, spent four and a half years and played 11 AFL games in brown and gold.

He found senior footy hard to come by in brown and gold, stuck behind Lloyd Meek and Need Reeves in the big-man pecking order.

That task became trickier as the Hawks started to flourish, and Ramsden believes the Saints have the foundations to follow a similar trajectory.

“When I was a young kid I was a Hawks supporter so it was a great experience playing for the Hawks,” Ramsden said on SEN Captain’s Run.

“Obviously I would have wanted to make it a successful one, but I had a great time there and met a lot of great people. Unfortunately it didn’t work out.

“But I’m super grateful to be given another opportunity at another great club with a good young list.

“There are a lot of similarities that I draw between the two clubs. Hawthorn coming from their young core and now they’re flying.

“At the Saints hopefully we’re going to do the same thing.”

Ramsden says his Hawks exit came as no surprise, understanding early in 2026 that it would be best to scour the market for a chance somewhere else.

The Saints did not appear on the radar until late after the Hawks bolstered their keys by securing Ben King from Gold Coast and re-signing Calsher Dear.

“Coming into the 2026 season I was aware that it might be a good idea to find opportunities elsewhere despite how much I wanted to make it work at Hawthorn,” he added.

“There was a lot of discussion throughout the year. But then things changed very quickly with the signing of Ben King and a few other list changes. Calsher stayed as well which was unexpected for a lot of the footy world.

“Things change really quickly in footy and the opportunity at St Kilda came quite quickly.

“As soon as it came up I thought wow, that’s a great fit. There were a few stressful periods but I was quite fortunate and it all worked out in the end.”

St Kilda did lose Rowan Marshall to Geelong in the trade period leaving big-money recruit Tom De Koning and the one-game Alex Dodson as the main ruck influences.

Ramsden says the plan is to prepare for the 2027 season as a ruckman who has the ability to pinch-hit in the forward line if need be, which could bring about some senior minutes.

“The main idea is to play ruck and use my mobility and marking ability around the ground,” said Ramsden.

“I know I can play forward as well, so hopefully I’ll be out there playing in the ruck and spending some time forward as well.

“I’m happy to play ruck or forward, but it will b e more of a ruck focus this pre-season for me.”

Despite leaving the Hawks, Ramsden will continue to live with former teammates Josh Ward and Cam Mackenzie.

Listen to Adam White’s fill chat with Ramsden below: