St Kilda adds three midfielders including exciting Jack Billings at national draft

ST KILDA is confident its most important draft in more than a decade can cement the foundations for a bright future.

The top three picks in the 2013 draft Josh Kelly, Tom Boyd and Jack Billings.

ST KILDA is confident its most important draft in more than a decade can cement the foundations for the future under new coach Alan Richardson.

The Saints predictably chose exciting Oakleigh forward-midfielder Jack Billings with their No.3 selection, and the club believes he can make an immediate impact next season.

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And the Saints made the most of their three picks inside the top 20 by claiming two more midfielders with picks 18 and 19, picking Woodville-West Torrens' Luke Dunstan and West Perth's Blake Acres.

News_Image_File: Jack Billings dons his new colours with his father Graeme, mother Letitia and sisters Kate and Sarah.

St Kilda recruiting manager Tony Elshaug said the selections capped off a successful trade-draft period for the club as it seeks a new start under Richardson.

"We are really pleased with the players who came in prior to the draft - Billy Longer, Luke Delaney, Josh Bruce and Shane Savage, and even international rookie James Holmes," Elshaug said.

"We have got a couple of defenders, a ruck, a wingman, these three mids (in the draft) and they all have a lot of ability. The thing is, they all have good character as well."

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Billings will add some much needed class into Saints' forward line with his uncanny use of the ball, but will likely find a home in the midfield in the future.

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Elshaug said the elite ball-winner was a leader who overcome obstacles with injury this season, but shone through with resilience when it mattered most.

The 18-year-old could not have been more pleased when Richardson handed him his first Saints jumper and a ticket to the club's training camp to Boulder in the US next week.

"I can't wait for it," Billings said. "I'm over the moon at the moment. I am just rapt to be a part of the Saints now and want to just work as hard as I can."

News_Image_File: Jack Billings receives his Saints jumper from coach Alan Richardson. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Billings said his first chat to Richardson as a listed Saint was about the pathway the new coach was intent on taking the club next year and beyond.

"He is pretty strong about the direction he wants the club to be going in," Billings said.

"I am just so excited to be a part of it all and hopefully be a part of seeing the club rebuild.

"We still have guys like Nick Riewoldt and Lenny Hayes here and it will be amazing to learn from players like that."

News_Image_File: The Saints picked up South Australian Luke Dunstan with pick 18. Picture: Sarah Reed

The former Bombers fan had some surgery on his knee at the end of the season, but insists he will be right to go when it matters.

"I just had a bit of trouble with my knee ... I got that cleaned up at the end of the season," he said.

"I didn't want too far behind (in the pre-season). I reckon I will be about 60 per cent up until Christmas and I can't wait."

Elshaug said Dunstan was "a very tough player, with a strong mind and good leadership qualities" while Ares is "a good size who can mark the footy and who has elite endurance."