St Kilda’s regeneration has continued with four quality young players joining the club in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft.

The Saints held the coveted no. 1 pick for the first time since 2002, using it to select exciting key forward Patrick McCartin from TAC Cup team Geelong Falcons.

RELATED: Paddy McCartin selected with pick one

McCartin was soon joined by his Falcons teammate Hugh Goddard who fell to the Saints at pick 21.

Speedy utility Daniel McKenzie and skilful small forward Jack Lonie were taken at picks 22 and 41 respectively.

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Acting St Kilda Head of Football Ameet Bains said the draft helped address specific needs while also allowing the team to select the best player available.

“From our perspective we were pleased to get a mix of players. We were able to pick players basically where we ranked them in talent order,” Bains said.

“As it is we got a good mix – a key forward, a key defender who can play forward, a versatile utility and a small forward.”

RELATED: Hugh Goddard selected with pick 21

All three players taken by the Saints in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft represented the club at senior level in their first years but Bains said there was no expectation on the 2014 batch to follow suit.

“The talls are always going to need more patience but they are both big boys,” he said.

“We won’t put any expectations or ceilings on these players with senior football next year.”

RELATED: Daniel McKenzie selected with pick 22

The Saints hold the first pick at Wednesday’s rookie draft and have four spots available. Bains said there was plenty of talent to choose from.

“There are still some handy players available in the rookie draft,” he said.

“We have committed to Adam Schneider, we have Ahmed Saad to consider and we have the players who are training with us in the hope of getting selected so there are a few to pick from.”

RELATED: Jack Lonie selected with pick 41


The brains trust: Ameet Bains and Tony Elshaug

Ameet Bains on St Kilda’s four draftees:

1. Paddy McCartin
“We have loved watching him play for more than three years. He is a big, imposing, aggressive key forward with a first rate character and work rate. He is 194cm tall, which is one centimetre taller than Nick Riewoldt and Jarryd Roughead. He takes big pack marks and he shows great leadership.”

Born: 19/4/1996
Height: 194cm
Weight: 95kgs
Drafted from: Geelong Falcons
Position: Key forward
Plays like: Jarryd Roughead

21. Hugh Goddard
“18 months ago he was being spoken about as a potential number one pick. He is a key defender who can also play key forward. He is 196cm tall and played in the AIS-AFL Academy and has top-notch character. He shows great leadership as well which is important."

Born: 24/8/1996
Height: 196cm
Weight: 94kg
Drafted from: Geelong Falcons
Position: Key forward/defender
Plays like: Ben Reid

22. Daniel McKenzie
“He has great agility and tested in the elite bracket of speed and agility at the Draft combine. He can play in three parts of the ground so that appealed a lot as well."

Born: 17/5/96
Height: 183cm
Weight: 77kg
Drafted from: Oakleigh Chargers
Position: Midfielder
Plays like: Grant Birchall

41. Jack Lonie
“He is a local boy from Seaford. He was the co-captain of Dandenong Stingrays and is a small forward. He won Vic Country’s best player at the Under 18 championships. He is a ripping kid and has some super skills.”

Born: 13/8/1996
Height: 174cm
Weight: 67kg
Drafted from: Dandenong Stingrays
Position: Small forward
Plays like: Hayden Ballantyne