St Kilda has the cap space to add more talent during the trade period
St Kilda has already pulled off one of the moves of the off-season by adding Brad Crouch. But the Saints aren’t done yet. What’s next for the trade period kings?
St Kilda has been rewarded for holding its nerve in tense trade talks with Adelaide after landing free agent Brad Crouch.
And the Crows on-baller could yet be joined at Moorabbin by Adam Treloar.
The Saints endured a nervous three-day wait but were thrilled when the Crows on Wednesday decided not to match St Kilda’s offer.
It means the Saints have secured the best-and-fairest winner without giving anything up in a trade or paying him an excessive salary of more than $800,000 a season.
Crouch, 26, is believed to be on a four-year contract with a trigger for a fifth season worth about $600,000 a year.
On Thursday, Saints football boss Simon Lethlean told SEN: "We're very interested observers. Treloar is a sensational player... but, if you asked me right now if he would be at the Saints, I would say it's very unlikely."
Adelaide receives pick No. 23 as free agency compensation for the midfielder who finished outside the top-10 of the Crows’ best and fairest this year.
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St Kilda’s strategy ensures it still has more salary cap room to target Richmond livewire Jack Higgins and delisted Essendon big man Shaun McKernan throughout the remainder of the trade period.
It means the Saints look set to be one of the biggest winners from the exchange period for the second year in a row.
Crouch said he could not wait to get started at Moorabbin.
“I’m really looking forward to joining the Saints next year,” Crouch said.
“St Kilda is going in the right direction and I’m stoked to be a part of it next season.
“I’m determined to gain the trust and confidence of the club, its supporters and my new teammates, and I am confident that my best football is ahead of me at St Kilda”.
Adelaide was hopeful of landing the No. 2 pick as compensation for Crouch but the Saints were adamant they would not pay the onballer overs or trade their first-round pick for him.
If the Crows did match the Saints’ bid for Crouch, St Kilda would have been prepared to walk the midfielder through the pre-season draft to the club.
Geelong will consider a similar outcome in its attempts to welcome superstar spearhead Jeremy Cameron to the club.
The Crows told the Saints they would still match the bid with one hour to go before the 5pm deadline on Wednesday.
But St Kilda chief operating officer Simon Lethlean and list boss James Gallagher refused to relent on the Crows’ trade demands, ensuring the club still has its first-round pick (No. 17) in this year’s draft.
Gallagher said it was a top result.
“It’s a really exciting prospect for our club and supporters to have Brad commit to St Kilda,” Gallagher said.
“Brad’s a genuine competitor and his ability to win the footy and use it well will greatly complement our midfield.”
Adelaide was not interested in fringe players Jimmy Webster, Dylan Roberton, Daniel McKenzie and Luke Dunstan.
Dunstan is expected to stay at the Saints.
Crouch will step straight into the engine room alongside Jack Steele, Jade Gresham, Hunter Clark, Jack Billings and Brad Hill, while Seb Ross could face a fight for his spot in the best side next season.
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Crouch was caught by police with an illicit substance at season’s end but has vowed to make up for his mistake in red, white and black from next year.
He will bolster the Saints’ clearance and grunt work around the stoppages in a bid to help create more play for exciting linebreakers Hill, Gresham and Billings.
The Saints struggled to attract top-line recruits up until last year and have since emerged as a destination club.
But St Kilda is unlikely to make a play for Collingwood star Adam Treloar due to salary cap constraints, at this stage.
The club is, however, expected to heavily target Gold Coast’s Ben King, who is the brother of star Saint Max King, next year.
But the Suns remain confident of keeping Ben King and were thrilled with his development up north this year.