AFTER being central to some of the most significant deals during trade period, St Kilda is set to play a much more subdued role come draft time. The Saints’ first pick currently sits all the way down at number 50, though there is a Next Generation Academy prospect potentially in the pipeline.

>> 100+ PROFILES: View the 2025 AFL Draft Guide

2025 RECORD: 12th | 9-14 | 88.5%
2025 PICKS: 50, 62, 70
FUTURE PICKS: ’26 R1, ’26 R3, ’26 R4 | ’27 R1, ’27 R2, ’27 R3, MEL ’27 R3, WCE ’27 R3, ’27 R4, MEL ’27 R4
ACADEMY/FATHER-SON NOMINEES: Kye Fincher (NGA)

2025 CROP:
Picks 50, 62, 70

In an open draft, predicting what a club will do with its first pick coming at 50 is anyone’s guess. Instead of throwing mud at the wall to hope some of it sticks, perhaps there are a few scenarios that St Kilda could look to manufacture to continue its busy offseason.

While unlikely, St Kilda could make a play to re-enter the first round with eyes on Jevan Phillipou. The brother of current Saint, Mattaes, is a powerful midfielder-forward who runs all day. He looks set to attract interest in the 15-25 range and is certainly not short on confidence.

Another player of interest to St Kilda is NGA product Kye Fincher. Positionally he is a great fit for the Saints, capable of filling a role at half-back with the potential to develop his midfield craft. He impressed in the middle on debut for St Kilda’s then VFL affiliate, Sandringham.

Fincher is poised to attract a bid in the 30s, meaning St Kilda may have to get creative in order to match. The Saints could do so with their next pick if he falls past pick 36, otherwise they’ll have to face a tough call of whether to let him go – a real possibility given last year’s events.

Overall, the Saints are expected to use one or two selections, with Anthony Caminiti confirmed to have earned an upgrade to the primary list. If not Phillipou or Fincher, the Saints often like to target strong runners late in the piece and could always do with midfield depth.

KEY QUESTIONS:

– Could St Kilda trade back into the first round?
– Will St Kilda match for its club-tied talent this time around?
– Will St Kilda target another running machine late in the piece?