Gary Buckenara analyses St Kilda’s needs and potential players to target during off-season

THE Saints are cashed up and have plenty of draft picks to trade. But who should they be chasing the hardest? List guru GARY BUCKENARA takes an in-depth look at the club’s options.

Would Josh Kelly fit in at St Kilda? Picture: Phil Hillyard

THERE is no doubt St Kilda is an emerging team but the Saints have been slightly disappointing so far this season.

We all thought the Saints would be challenging for finals, and they are, but their performances haven’t been of standout quality where we can categorically say we can see where they’ve improved.

That does happen sometimes and there’s no real cause for concern — it’s just the nature of a developing team with a lot of young players.

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What St Kilda need is an A-grade star. They have invested in the midfield but don’t have a standout marquee player other than Riewoldt.

So there is no point going after more B or C-grade players. They have a lot of those already and brought in a few more from other clubs in recent trade periods — good players but hardly untouchable stars.

Aim high and chase the guns.

When I look at the St Kilda list there are a lot of question marks on players and the Saints have probably been a touch fortunate in that their depth hasn’t really been tested with a long injury list.

The Saints have the cash to land Dustin Martin. Picture: Getty Images

Will Nathan Freeman’s body stand up and can he perform at the top level? Where is Leigh Montagna at? Will Nick Riewoldt play on? Luke Dunstan? He hasn’t quite come on and Blake Acres? He’s shown some signs but needs to do more and take the next step. Will Paddy McCartin be the player we all thought he would? The concussions are a real worry. Where is Jimmy Webster at? Can Hugh Goddard develop after such a serious injury?

The big question mark is on David Armitage. He’s missed a lot of footy this year with a groin injury but have the Saints really missed him? He’s 29 but can you say he has reached great heights in his career? He had one great season but now the Saints have younger options with the likes of Seb Ross, Jack Steele, Jack Steven and even Koby Stevens.

There is definite potential there for the Saints to make a move on the midfielder if it helps them secure one of their A-grade midfield targets. But would anyone be willing to take him? His body might be letting him down now.

If there is a good offer from a club I would jump at it.

I wrote in a St Kilda list analysis column two years ago that a lot would depend on the development of St Kilda’s youngsters and I do have queries on McCartin and Goddard. Will they become the players the Saints thought they would when they drafted them?

With Goddard, the recruitment of Jake Carlisle and Nathan Brown raises concerns for me over where he fits into the line-up when he gets himself fit and in form. He can play forward too but has been used down back to teach him competitiveness and that is a good part of his development.

He also has his injury troubles and can’t seem to get a run at it at the Saints. Could he benefit from new surroundings? If St Kilda was offered a good deal for either he or McCartin — that would help you get a gun — I’d be seriously considering it.

WHO THE SAINTS SHOULD TARGET

The Saints have been linked to GWS star Josh Kelly and he’s exactly what they need. Class and polish on the outside to complement those in and under players. He fits perfectly into their list profile, at 22 years of age, and would really give them a boost because he’s a match-winner.

Dustin Martin would be an unbelievable get. He would be that marquee player, the face of the club who draws big crowds because he is such a damaging player. A match-winner who wins his own ball but is also devastating on the outside and he hits the scoreboard.

If I had to choose between the two I’d go for Kelly only because the Saints do have a couple of big-bodied midfielders who play a similar role — Steven and Dunstan although he hasn’t really come on and that’s exactly why they targeted Freeman from Collingwood.

Martin would be St Kilda’s best player but Kelly would be more damaging and better for their structure because he’s such a good ball user who breaks the lines and can rebound from defence on the outside.

What does the future hold for St Kilda champ Nick Riewoldt? Picture: Getty Images

The Saints should also be talking to Kelly’s teammates Lachie Whitfield and Devon Smith.

And while they’re at it head over to the SCG and talk to Zak Jones. All of those guys are quick and use the ball really well.

The other one is Jason Johannisen. He’s such a good ball user and takes the game on with his pace and he would just add another element. The Saints are really lacking that x-factor type player that gets supporters off their seat and excited whenever they get the ball.

Jasper Pittard would also be an option across halfback.

In order of preference I would have: 1. Kelly 2. Martin 3. Johannisen 4. Pittard 5. Whitfield 6. D. Smith 7. Z. Jones.

UNTOUCHABLES

Jack Steven, Nick Riewoldt, Seb Ross, Jake Carlisle, Jarryn Geary, Jack Billings, Dylan Roberton, Mav Weller, Sam Gilbert

Gary Buckenara was Hawthorn’s sole full-time recruiting staff member from 2004 before the Hawks brought in Chris Pelchen and then Graham Wright as recruiting and list manager and expanded the recruiting department.