After a breakout second season in 2023, Mitch Owens hasn’t been able to recapture the form that had him in the conversation for one of the league’s best young talents. The 33rd pick in the 2021 National Draft played only seven games in his first season before becoming one of the Saints best players in 2023, playing all 23 games and averaging two goals and 15 disposals a game. Owens impressed in the air and on the ground he became one of St Kilda's most damaging players.

Former Adelaide and Geelong spearhead Josh Jenkins spoke on SEN radio about the positional change that would help Owens recapture his form.
"They should start playing him as a genuine midfielder, I thought his role was difficult last year in a team that’s not great at scoring or fluent in their ball movement,” he said on SEN radio.
“He’s got fast feet and quick hands, he’s a great size and he's great in a contest, Brad Crouch and Seb Ross are gone, and I think Mitch Owens can go in there and be a clearance and tackling gun.”
Owens was tied to St Kilda since he was a young teenager through their Next Generation Academy, which also produced Owens childhood best friend and fellow Saint, Marcus Windhager. Owens and Windhager were both bid upon in the 2021 draft by the Swans and Cats respectively, but the offers were matched, and the pair remained in red, white, and black.

Owens is one of St Kilda's best pressure, tackling, and contested ball-winners, and if he is able to bring this into St Kilda's midfield, his size will allow him to star in this position.
2025 will be a big year for the young Saint as his side will look to build on their 12th-placed season, which saw them miss the finals.
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