St Kilda set for talks with GWS over emerging big man Adam Tomlinson

ST KILDA looks like missing out on Devon Smith but they’ve zeroed in on another Giant — as well as a delisted Swan — as the Saints look towards 2018.

St Kilda is targeting GWS defender Adam Tomlinson this trade period. Picture: Michael Klein

ST KILDA has zeroed in on Greater Western Sydney big man Adam Tomlinson to bolster its push for finals next year.

The Saints believe the 193cm running machine is open to a move back home to Melbourne and will sit down for key talks with Giants officials about Tomlinson on Monday.

The Oakleigh product is highly-rated as one of the most versatile young big men in the game. He gathered 26 possessions on the wing and was one of GWS’s best players in the preliminary final loss to Richmond.

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While the Saints have not yet discussed any potential trade terms for the 24-year-old, they hold picks No.7 (from Hawthorn) and No.8 in the draft and are well placed to strike a deal with the Giants.

It is understood St Kilda could potentially part with one, but not both of their first-round aces to nab the hard-running tall.

St Kilda is targeting GWS defender Adam Tomlinson this trade period. Picture: Michael Klein

St Kilda list chief Ameet Bains on Thursday said the club was also looking at delisted Swans’ defender and former Bulldog Michael Talia to help bolster its key defensive stocks.

Bains said the club was not looking to trade key forward Paddy McCartin.

“We’ve had some injuries in the back half,” Bains told the league website.

“Hugh Goddard, who we’re still quite bullish on, obviously has lost a couple of seasons now with an Achilles injury and a toe injury.

“So whilst we’re hopeful that he gets back to where we want him to get to, he’s still got to work through his rehabbing which is progressing well but will take some time.

“And we’ve got Nathan Brown and Jake Carlisle who both played the entire season for us and stood up but it’s a little bit thin underneath that.”

GWS has previously resisted strong attempts from Victorian clubs to land Tomlinson but the Giants could off-load him this year to ease pressure on their tight salary cap.

He is contracted to the Giants for a further two seasons.

Michael Talia’s time at Sydney is up. Picture. Phil Hillyard

GWS football manager Wayne Campbell would not comment.

The Saints have long been fans of Tomlinson who has enjoyed a career-best season in 2017, missing only one senior match for the year.

The No.9 draft pick modelled his game on Nick Riewoldt throughout in his draft year in 2011.

Tomlinson could help partner Carlisle and Brown in the Saints’ backline or add some marking power in the middle part of the ground following Riewoldt’s retirement.

The 91-gamer would help reinforce the Saints’ spine with the club again set to launch at a top-line midfield trade or free agency target at the of next season.

St Kilda has significant salary cap room after missing out on midfield trade targets Josh Kelly and Dustin Martin this year, and would likely try and entice Tomlinson with a long-term contract. West Coast’s Andrew Gaff is not up got trade, the Eagles confirmed.

Tomlinson’s manager, Nick Gieschen from TLA Worldwide, was unavailable for comment.

Giant Adam Tomlinson with his partner Amy Pejkovic. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Originally published as St Kilda set for talks with GWS over emerging big man Adam Tomlinson