Chris Pelchen confirms St Kilda happy to trade first draft pick but only for good deal

ST KILDA has confirmed it is open to trading the first pick of the AFL National Draft, but only if a rival club offers a deal too good to turn down.

St Kilda press conference re Scott Watters sacking at Seaford. Football Manager Chris Pelchen listens on at press conference. Pic Michael Klein. November 1, 2013.

ST KILDA has confirmed it is open to trading the first pick of the 2014 AFL National Draft, but only if a rival club offers a deal too good to turn down.

Eastern Ranges midfielder Christian Petracca could be taken with the first draft pick.

Saints Head of Football Chris Pelchen admitted opposition clubs had already shown interest in the top draft pick, but said none had put forward an official deal yet.

Pelchen said the pick was “very much on the table”.

“We’re very open-minded in terms of trading our selection, and that shouldn’t be a surprise to anybody,” Pelchen told SEN.

“We had some discussions yesterday with a number of clubs. There’s certainly interest from opposition teams in the number one selection, but at the moment nothing has been put on the table for us to consider.”

The Saints had been linked to Geelong Falcons forward Paddy McCartin, who was being touted as an ideal replacement for skipper Nick Riewoldt after he retires.

But Eastern Ranges midfielder Christian Petracca has rocketed up the rankings in recent months and would be a worthy first draft pick in the eyes of recruiters, following an impressive and consistent Under 18’s carnival for Vic Metro that saw him claim the Larke Medal.

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Pelchen said the Saints would select the best available player should they hold onto their first pick then focus on their positional needs over the next two seasons.

“We certainly never ignore our positional needs. We’ve developed a very deliberate strategic plan between 2013 and 2016 to address our player list and its needs,” he said.

“We’re certainly not going to ignore positional types, but this particular season, we’ll be looking at the best player available and become more specific next year and the year following.”

Meanwhile, Pelchen failed to deny Carlton had approached him to join the club next season, with the Blues reportedly seeking list manager’s role.

“I look a lot better and slimmer in black than blue,” Pelchen joked.

“But there is always a lot of speculation around this time of the year about players, coaches and staff, and that’s purely all this is — speculation.”

Originally published as Chris Pelchen confirms St Kilda happy to trade first draft pick but only for good deal