Fourteen Saints were killed in action during the bloody war, which claimed the lives of over 40 million people. A further ten paid the ultimate sacrifice during World War II some decades later.

St Kilda added a Union Jack to its guernsey for the last two games of 1914, before trading out its white for yellow in a sign of solidarity for Allied Force, Belgium, who had several current and former St Kilda players fighting in their country.

St Kilda entered a period of recession during 1916 and 1917, reforming just shy of a year before the close of the war in November 1918.

The club’s traditional colour scheme of red, white and black was reinstated by 1923, complete with the tri-panel motif that would be engrained into the club’s visual identity for the next century.

Unfortunately, the onset of the Roaring Twenties – the post-war period known for its prosperity, wealth and success – began with its 10th wooden spoon in 21 seasons of VFL. The Saints instigated another climb up the ladder in the ensuing years and – save for a last-place finish in 1924 – pieced together consistent and competitive football.

The invincible performances of Bill Mohr ushered in St Kilda’s most optimistic era since its formation some 50 years prior.

The powerhouse forward led the club’s goalkicking from 1929-1940, slotting an almighty 735 goals across his 195 games in the red, white and black.

Mohr became the first St Kilda player to kick 100 goals in a season – taking out the League Goalkicker Medal in 1936 – and remains just one of three Saints to achieve the remarkable feat.

St Kilda President Fred Arlington-Burke ordered medals adorned with the St Kilda Crest to be struck for every player. Ever since, the iconic emblem has been present on every single St Kilda guernsey.

It has become synonymous with the club motto Fortius Quo Fidelius – Strength Through Loyalty – and remains one of St Kilda’s most enduring symbols. It serves as a sign of bravery in the face of adversity, unwavering resilience and a reminder to never give in, even under the most dire of circumstances.

Football was surrounded in a state of contention during wartime, but overseas, it became a uniting force for those far away from their homeland.

The Changi Football League, played at Changi Prison in Singapore, brought in excess of 15,000 Australian prisoners of war together during a time of incomprehensible suffering.

The makeshift league purportedly boasted some of the best talent ever seen.

James “Jim” Wandin was St Kilda’s first ever Indigenous player, making 17 senior appearances from 1952-1953. Only nine other Indigenous players had debuted in the VFL before him.

Despite racial vilification on and off the field, Wandin was proud that his struggles were part of reason why conditions improved for Indigenous players in later years.

Wandin was great-great nephew to William Barak, the last traditional ngurungaeta (tribal leader) of the Wurundjeri-Willam clan. He assumed the title following his football career and was involved in Indigenous Affairs with the Victorian Government.

Although a diminutive figure, Killigrew was a towering and fearsome presence. His firebrand approach was pivotal in dragging the side he represented for 78 matches out from the depths.

Killigrew’s pointed declaration was the impetus behind St Kilda’s subsequent rise, move to its spiritual home of Moorabbin and most importantly, long-awaited Premiership success.

“Nobody would laugh at St Kilda.”