Callum Wilkie Biography

Callum Wilkie extends his contract with the Saints by two more years, turning his back to significant interest by the Western Bulldogs.

The Dogs launched a $4.5 million tilt at the Saints defender with a lucrative four-year deal, with the backman speaking with Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge through the process.

"He's such a well-regarded person within the club and well-liked, and demonstrates great leadership skills and is a great player for us. Ross was very keen to keep him and had chats with him," Saints chief executive Carl Dilena said.

Jack Steele will be the sole skipper of St Kilda in 2022 after sharing the captaincy duties with Jarryn Geary in 2021.

Geary stepped down as co-captain last week but will remain in St Kilda's leadership group alongside Callum Wilkie, with Tim Membrey and Dougal Howard to serve as co-vice-captains.

Callum Wilkie signs a new deal to remain with St Kilda until the end of 2024.

“Cal [Wilkie] has been exceptional at senior level since being taken as a rookie selection. He’s a respected member of our leadership group and a valuable player in defence, and we’re looking forward to seeing that develop further moving forward," St Kilda list boss James Gallagher said.

St Kilda will have co-captains in 2021 with Jack Steele joining incumbent leader Jarryn Geary as skippers of the club.

"To have 'Gears' alongside me is also really special. He's really taken me under his wing, and I've learned so much from him since joining the club. His leadership is second to none, not just his voice on-field, but also how he rallies the group off it," Steele said.

Defender Dougal Howard has also been fast-tracked straight into the seven-man leadership group as vice-captain alongside Tim Membrey.

Callum Wilkie is a first-time inductee and joins last year's members Seb Ross and Jack Billings.

Callum Wilkie makes his AFL debut for St Kilda at Docklands Stadium with 11 disposals (6 kicks and 5 handballs), 4 marks and 2 tackles in a 1-point win over Gold Coast.

St Kilda select Callum Wilkie with pick No.3 in the 2018 Rookie Draft.