Heading into tonight’s AFL Draft, we hold picks 51, 69 and 75.

While the Saints' light draft hand has come as a result of arguably the best trade period in almost two decades, history shows us that low picks don't necessarily warrant low expectations.

Some of the Saints' most servicable and reliable players have come from the way down the pecking order, clawing their way from the bottom up.

We look back at some of our biggest draft steals from years gone by.

Tim Membrey

Recruited: Pick 46, 2012 (originally selected by Sydney)
Debut: Round 19, 2014 v Essendon
Games: 92
Goals: 169

He was selected at a bargain pick No. 46 by the Swans, but came to St Kilda for an even better price as a delisted free agent at the end of 2014.

The Gippsland Power product only played the one game for Sydney, but showed the promise to become a premier centre-half forward who could follow in the footsteps of the great Nick Riewoldt.

Since joining the red, white and black, Membrey has evolved into the focal point of St Kilda's attack, booting 169 goals from his 92 outings.

The No. 28 led from the front in Season 2019 as part of the Saints' leadership group, notching up his third club-goalkicking award after a superb 44-goal season.

Aaron Hamill

Recruited: Pick 79, 1994 (originally selected by Carlton)
Debut: Round 15, 1996 v Adelaide
Games: 190
Goals: 239

While he wasn’t originally picked up by St Kilda, Aaron Hamill’s selections – both as a Blue and Saint – scream ‘steal’.

The Canberra boy was taken at pick No. 79 in the 1994 National Draft, quickly earning himself a reputation as a hard and uncompromising player.

In one of the biggest scoops of the 2000 trade period, Hamill made his way to the Saints, forming part of St Kilda’s formidable offensive alongside Nick Riewoldt, Stephen Milne and Fraser Gehrig.

Fearless, courageous and a born leader, Hamill notched up 98 games for the red, white and black and kicked 125 goals before being forced into premature retirement through injury.

Hamill skippered the Saints in 2003 and finished in third place at the 2001 Trevor Barker Award – his first season at the club.

Andrew Thompson

Recruited: Pick 62, 1996
Debut: Round 1, 1997 v Hawthorn
Games: 221
Goals: 93 

Arguably the Saints’ best selection story, Andrew Thompson's journey showed that you could make it to the elite level if you had the determination.

The No. 4 seemed destined never to play AFL after quitting football twice while part of St Kilda and Footscray’s supplementary lists.

But the dogged onballer overcame the setbacks – both injury and form-wise – to earn himself a place on the Saints’ list in 1997 after being selected with pick No. 62.

His ferocious tackling, smothering and gritty style of play gained admiration right from the get-go, with Thompson playing 20 games in his debut season before becoming a regular feature of the red, white and black for the next decade.

The hardworking Saint took out the Trevor Barker Award in 2000, represented Victoria in State of Origin football and even skippered St Kilda when Robert Harvey went down through injury in his best-and-fairest year.

Thompson ended his career in 2007 with 221 games, before continuing his service to the club as part of the Board.

Sam Fisher

Recruited: Pick 55, 2003
Debut: Round 7, 2004 v Fremantle
Games: 228
Goals: 22 

After being selected with Pick 55 in the 2003 National Draft, Sam Fisher would go on to establish himself as a champion of the red, white and black. 

The ever-reliable defender cemented his spot into the senior side in 2005, quickly rising up the ranks to become one of the Saints' premier defenders. 

Fisher was the definition of the versatile defender, providing plenty of bounce on the rebound while also being able to hold down the key post at full-back to great effect.

The Riverland product secured All Australian selection in 2008, while also becoming one of a select group of Saints to win multiple Trevor Barker Awards.

Fisher ended his career with 228 games, joining a prestigious group of St Kilda defenders who surpassed the 200-game mark.

James Gwilt

Recruited: Pick 63, 2004
Debut: Round 22, 2005 v Brisbane
Games: 152
Goals: 25 

James Gwilt’s selection came as one of the biggest surprises of the 2004 National Draft, with the Saints swooping on the Papua New Guinean with pick No. 63.

In fact, former Head of List Management Johnny Beveridge selected Gwilt without ever having seen him play because he caught wind that Carlton were going to take him in the rookie draft.

The bullish defender was recruited from Noble Park, choosing not to enter the conventional Under-18 system to pursue his cricket.

While often on the fringe in the early stages of his career, a permanent shift to defence in 2010 spelled his best season.

Gwilt became a mainstay down back over the next few years, playing on much taller forwards and serving as one of the Saints’ chief rebounders.

The No. 33 played 126 games for the red, white and black, before rounding out his career with two seasons at the Bombers.