WITH season proper and trade period done and dusted, AFL fans and staff alike now turn their attention towards the draft (November 28-30). The chaos has settled on player and pick swaps, and budding prospects have completed their combines, leaving a nervous wait until they learn their fate.

In the next of our club by club previews, we take a look at St Kilda’s draft hand and offer insight into how the Saints may utilise the picks at their possession. While they hold six picks heading into the draft, they could come away with only half that amount of fresh faces.

2022 FINISH: 10th

CURRENT PICKS: 9, 28, 32, 47, 73, 81

FUTURE PICKS: STK R1, STK R2, STK R3

ACADEMY/FATHER-SON NOMINEES: Cameron Mackenzie 

FIRST PICK OPTIONS:

Though he certainly won’t be available via the bidding system, St Kilda Next Generation Academy (NGA) product Cameron Mackenzie may be the Saints’ man at pick nine. That’s if West Coast don’t swoop beforehand, with the well travelled midfielder among a group of highly touted on-ballers. Mackenzie offers a mix of speed and skill coming away from congestion, and was wonderfully consistent in 2022.

Otherwise, a slider could be in St Kilda’s midst. Elijah Tsatas is no guarantee to be snapped up before St Kilda’s pick, and Mattaes Phillipou could be the inverse slider if he is. The Saints are also said to have shown interest in the likes of Oliver Hollands and Elijah Hewett, with the range in which their selection lies likely to yield a midfielder.

REMAINING CROP:

Though they hold four picks in the top 50, with potential for that hand to improve through the bidding system, the Saints may only come away with three fresh selections. Pick nine aside, they have potential to package their late selections and move up the order, or even to strengthen their hand for next year.

With midfielders dominating the first round, a tall could be on the cards in round two. Max Gruzewski looms as one such option, and the swingman is a high upside type with aerial ability to develop in the long-term. Elsewhere, a utility like Jakob Ryan may be of interest, or a slick stepping midfielder-forward like Coby Burgiel.

KEY QUESTION:

– Will St Kilda target its NGA product in Cam Mackenzie?
– Can St Kilda nab a slider at the back of the top 10?
– Will St Kilda package its second round picks to move up the order?