St Kilda has added four promising young names to its list following the second night of the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft, completing a raft of pick swaps to move up the order and bring James Barrat, Hugh Boxshall, Alex Dodson and Patrick Said to the club.
The Saints completed three separate deals to secure the services of Barrat (pick No. 32, completed with Essendon on night one), Boxshall (pick No. 45, via Essendon) and Said (pick No. 60, via Brisbane), with Dodson joining the red, white and black at pick No. 53.
In recruiting tonight’s new batch of talent, St Kilda traded out a future second-round (to Essendon) and future fourth-round selection (to Brisbane), while gaining another future fourth-round selection from the Bombers.
A teammate of first-round selection Tobie Travaglia at both Bendigo and Vic Country, Barrat is coming off a Best & Fairest-winning season for the Pioneers.
Coming in at 194cm, the intercepting defender comes complete with a powerful right foot which can be utilised at either end of the ground.
WA product Boxshall joins the Saints as a tenacious inside midfielder with impressive attributes that saw him dominate at the WA state combine with top-five finishes in the 2km time trial (6:08), agility test (7.980 seconds) and standing vertical jump (73cm).
The 188cm midfielder capped off his draft year a premiership player, collecting 30 touches in the Claremont Colts’ September victory in the WAFL.
Basketball-convert Dodson has thrived for South Australia after setting his sights on a football career, cementing himself as the premier ruck option of this year’s draft class.
After captaining South Australia and representing Australia U18s on the hardwoods, the 203cm talent built his credentials in the SANFL and for his state in the AFL U18 Championship to close out the year with All-Australian honours.
Meanwhile, well-rounded half-forward/midfielder Said was an integral cog in Calder Cannons finishing top seed in this year’s Coates Talent League.
With the ability to go inside and regularly hit the scoreboard, Said is set to reunite with fellow Calder Cannons teammate, Hugo Garcia.
“We’re please to have James, Hugh, Alex, Patrick and their families join us at St Kilda,” EGM Football David Misson said.
“James is a powerful intercept defender whose aerial numbers were elite for Bendigo. Combined with his powerful kicking, it makes him an exciting player to watch at the Saints.
“Hugh is an athletic and tough inside midfielder who is a very exciting prospect and will be a great addition to our midfield mix.
“Alex is the elite ruck in this year’s draft and his ability to not only win the hit out but also follow up on the ground is a great asset for us.
“Patrick is a hard-running, skilful half-forward who has played some time in the midfield for Calder and played well. A very exciting prospect for us who adds versatility.
“We wish James, Hugh, Alex and Patrick all the best at St Kilda and look forward to welcoming them to the club very soon.”
The 2024 pre-season and rookie drafts will be held tomorrow afternoon at 3:00pm AEDT.
