The possibility of turning two first-round selections into three is firming as a move that the Saints could entertain as the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft fast approaches, says St Kilda EGM Football David Misson.
St Kilda currently holds pick No. 7 and 8 (free agency compensation for Josh Battle) heading into Wednesday night’s opening night of the draft, however have fielded interest in splitting one of their selections — likely the latter — for another high-calibre talent.
In recent years, the Saints have netted Darcy Wilson, Mattaes Phillipou and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera inside the first-round of selections, with Phillipou the latest to be taken inside the top-10.
"We're open to that, to be honest, both picks on the night and our future picks as well.” Misson said on Gettable this morning.
“We've had some clubs come with interest with regard to in splitting our pick, probably pick eight in particular, but we really need to see how things play out on the night and make a decision on the night.
Along with their two selections inside the top-10, the Saints currently hold picks 32, 47, 80 and 88.
Top-tier midfield talent is always front of mind as the club looks to usher in the next iteration of the engine room, however Misson said the club wouldn’t pigeon-hole itself into taking a player of one particular position and instead take the best talent available.
"We've got some pretty important parameters that we assess players on, based on our game plan, and the players we're looking to pick in the draft need to satisfy those parameters," Misson said.
"We'll obviously look at talent outside those parameters as well, but it's pretty important that we think that they're going to fit within our game plan and the way we want to play.
“Simon Dalrymple, our very experienced recruiter, has got a strong feeling that you just take the best players. That’s probably our strategy going in. We hope there’s a couple of mids at that time, but we’re looking at taking the best players at (pick) seven and eight.
“We’re going to take the two best players at seven and eight, and if they’re mids we’ll be pretty pleased.”
The 2024 Telstra AFL Draft will be held over two evenings between Wednesday 20 November and Thursday 21 November, with the rookie and pre-season drafts to be held on the afternoon of Friday 22 November.
