St Kilda has added to its growing list of premium young talent in anticipation of its ambitious new chapter, selecting top-tier draftees Tobie Travaglia and Alixzander Tauru at tonight’s 2024 Telstra AFL Draft.

The top-10 duo, taken with pick No. 8 and 10 respectively following earlier Academy bids, are primed to complement the Saints’ emerging young list headlined by recent draft selections, Mattaes Phillipou, Darcy Wilson, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Mitch Owens and Marcus Windhager.

The club’s first top-10 selection since Phillipou in 2022, the highly desirable Travaglia boasts exceptional athleticism as a hard-running, intercepting defender who also has the attributes to impact offensively on-ball.

Averaging 24 disposals from his 12 matches for Bendigo Pioneers in 2024, Travaglia earned selection in the Coates Talent League Team of the Year before later receiving All-Australian honours off the back of his impressive run throughout this season’s National Championships. 

Dubbed the ’Flying Viking’ for his presence in the air and marking ability, Tauru — of Swedish heritage — entered this year’s draft as one of the most exciting prospects after a prominent finish to the National Championships for Vic Country.

A smooth mover across the ground despite his 194cm frame, the big-bodied Tauru — who has the capacity to play as key defender, forward or midfielder — recorded the best running vertical jump (94cm) at this year’s Draft Combine and tested incredibly well in the 20-metre sprint (3:00 seconds) and time trial (6:36).

“We’re thrilled to welcome Tobie, Alix and their families to St Kilda,” EGM Football David Misson said.

“Tobie is a hard-running player who has played as a midfielder and half-back this year. He possesses great leadership skills which he displayed at the Bendigo Pioneers and Vic Country.

“Alix is an aggressive and powerful intercept defender who can go forward and hit the scoreboard. He’s a very exciting prospect and will be a great addition to our defensive stocks.

“Tobie and Alix have played football together while representing Vic Country, and we can’t wait to see them together in red, white and black for many seasons to come.

“We wish Tobie and Alix every success as they embark on this exciting new chapter at St Kilda.”

The 2024 Telstra AFL Draft will continue tomorrow evening from 7:00pm AEDT, with the rookie and pre-season drafts to follow on Friday afternoon.