ST KILDA may not have completed any trades on day one of the NAB AFL Trade Period, but Chief Operating Officer Ameet Bains said the club had a number of positive discussions that could lead to deals being struck later in the week.

St Kilda’s list management committee met with each of the other 17 clubs throughout the day at Etihad Stadium, with Jake Carlisle and Nathan Freeman the hot topics.

“We’re exploring a range of possibilities with respect to how we can satisfy Essendon with the trade,” Bains told SAINTS.com.au.

“There is an initial stalemate. They want our pick five, which we are not willing to part with. It’s up to us to see what else is possible.”

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Meanwhile, Freeman’s arrival at Linen House Centre appears to be more imminent.

The Collingwood speedster requested a move to the Saints last month after two injury-affected seasons at the Magpies.

If a trade proceeds, St Kilda will have four players drafted in the top 19 from the 2013 National Draft – further illustrating the club’s ambition to stockpile elite young talent.

“Talks have been more productive in terms of where the clubs see the value of the trade,” Bains said of the discussions with Collingwood.

“In saying that, it is the first day of the trade period so there is plenty of water to go under the bridge.”

Without categorically ruling it out, Bains suggested intertwining trades with Essendon and Collingwood remains extremely unlikely.

“Our strong preference is to deal with both clubs separately and do it that way,” he said.

“We’re very confident. Both players want to play at St Kilda Football Club from 2016 and we’re confident they will be wearing red, white and black.”

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Carlisle previously worked with backline coach Rohan Welsh while playing for Vic Metro in 2009 and was coached by Alan Richardson in his first year at the Bombers in 2010.

Freeman, who played for the Sandringham Dragons in the TAC Cup before he was selected with pick no.10 in the National Draft, played alongside Billings for Vic Metro in 2013. He ran 2.81 for the 20 metre sprint – the sixth quickest time ever at the AFL’s Draft Combine.