Christian Petracca set to join St Kilda with No.1 draft pick

ST KILDA is expected to crown Christian Petracca this year’s No.1 draft pick after rejecting four concrete offers for the coveted selection.

TAC Cup: Eastern Ranges v Bendigo Pioneers

ST KILDA is expected to crown Christian Petracca this year’s No.1 draft pick after rejecting four concrete offers for the coveted selection.

The Herald Sun believes Greater Western Sydney was willing to hand over picks 4 and 7 for rights to Petracca but when that was knocked back on Wednesday the Giants decided they would be unable to prise the pick from the Saints.

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It means Eastern Ranges product Petracca — who models his game on Jordan Lewis and Dustin Martin — is likely to head to Seaford after emerging as the standout from an even talent pool.

“Petracca is a star,” one club recruiter’s said last night.

“He’s got a unique skill-set for an 18-year-old. He mixes power, speed, leap and marking.

“I think he’s a mid-forward. He’ll be an impact player used in short spells onball. He’s a unique talent.”

Saints list manager Ameet Bains and football boss Chris Pelchen have confirmed they will draft the best player, hinting Petracca is their man ahead of key forward Paddy McCartin.

St Kilda recruiter Tony Elshaug boasts picks 1, 21, 22 and 41, meaning in two seasons the Saints will have plundered seven selections in the first three rounds.

Their aim is to generate 18 from 2013-16.

Petracca averaged 25 disposals and 139 SuperCoach points in the TAC Cup this year with the explosive 185cm, 92kg talent blossoming as a midfielder.

A hip problem could delay Petracca’s maiden AFL pre-season but he is expected to make an impact in 2015.

“My strengths are I’m able to win ball on the inside but also spread quickly,” Petracca said.

“I’m able to play multiple positions and it might sound arrogant but I sort of do have a bit of X-Factor, I can kick those clutch goals.”

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The Saints received no fresh offers for pick 1 on Thursday.

“We strongly value pick 1 and history shows the type of player you can get at that pick,” Bains said.

“In the end there wasn’t quite enough on the table (to trade it).”

The Saints will secure medium-forward Tim Membrey for nothing with the first pick in the pre-season draft after they were unable to broker a trade with Sydney.