ST KILDA is poised to be a key player in this year’s AFL Draft, boasting a pair of top 10 selections and scope to wreak havoc both with bids and live trades. The Saints also have a trio of club-tied talents to consider on night two and are expected to make at least four selections at the National Draft.

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2024 RECORD: 12th | 11-12 | 99.4%
2024 PICKS: 7, 8, 32, 47, 80, 88
FUTURE PICKS: STK R1, STK R2, STK R3, STK R4
ACADEMY/FATHER-SON NOMINEES: Adrian Cole, Lennox Hofmann (both NGA), Elwood Peckett (F/S) 

FIRST PICK(S):
Picks 7 & 8

St Kilda is positioned nicely in the top 10; likely to jump on a slider out of the top handful of selections, and primed to cause some chaos with bids and live trades. Having consecutive selections offers flexibility, with the option to package up a perfect pair or get their man and split the later pick.

The Saints’ strategy of targeting local talent could influence their direction with picks seven and eight. Smooth moving midfielder Murphy Reid has waning interest in the top-end of the order and would be right in St Kilda’s hitting zone, offering innate class and the ability to impact forward of centre.

His Sandringham Dragons teammate Harry Armstrong is also gettable should he be overlooked by the likes of Richmond and Melbourne. The consensus best key forward available, he is a handy point of difference among a draft heavy with midfield talent at the top, and importantly kicks goals for fun.

Tall 195cm on-baller Josh Smillie could also get through to the Saints having been heavily linked to Richmond. Likewise, high-flying utility Alix Tauru would be difficult to pass up. Even less likely sliders like Sid Draper, Jagga Smith, and Harvey Langford could be prime for the taking in some scenarios.

Should that kind of talent not be available, St Kilda will be right in the slot for potential bids on Academy-tied prospects Leo Lombard (Gold Coast) and Isaac Kako (Essendon). Splitting pick eight is also a genuine option given the evenness, depth, and variety of talent throughout the first round.

Utilities Bo Allan and Tobie Travaglia are in high demand within the 8-15 range. One of the pair, or perhaps even Xavier Lindsay could even be targets should the Saints split their selection and shuffle back down the order. The possible combinations and machinations are endless.

REMAINING CROP:
Picks 32, 47, 80, 88

St Kilda will more than likely be able to make one more pick before bids on its club-tied players come in. Key defender Adrian Cole is likely to attract the highest price, perhaps within the 10 picks after the Saints’ current pick 32. He’s a lockdown type with promising athletic and leadership qualities.

Another Sandringham and Next Generation Academy product, Lennox Hofmann is likely to be St Kilda’s fourth selection, later in the draft. There’s also father-son nominee Elwood Peckett (Justin, 252 games) who could land as a rookie. All three played for St Kilda’s VFL affiliate, Sandringham Zebras this year.

There is a possibility that St Kilda will use its second round pick to place a bid on Carlton father-son Ben Camporeale. It would be quite on brand for Stephen Silvagni, though can be justified by the Saints’ need to add running power and depth to its midfield group.

That being the case, perhaps a player like Christian Moraes fits the bill. The likes of Xavier Ivisic and Josh Dolan are other running machines in the mix, while Jack Ough is a tall midfielder to consider, and Tom Gross looms as a bargain choice with his explosiveness and forward half impact.

St Kilda’s has a couple more calls to make via the rookie intake. One of nine delistings, Brad Crouch, is set to be re-listed, while the Saints will also go ahead with its commitment to handing a rookie opportunity to one of their VFL-aligned players. They aren’t exactly spoilt for choice, though.

KEY QUESTIONS:

– What kind of combination will St Kilda go for with picks 7 & 8?
– Will St Kilda commit to splitting pick eight?
– Will St Kilda be a prominent bidder throughout the order?
– Where will bids land for St Kilda’s own club-tied talent?
– Who will St Kilda rookie list from its VFL affiliate?