ST KILDA has secured pacey midfielder Nathan Freeman to a three-year deal after confirming a trade with Collingwood.
The Magpies will receive the Saints’ second round pick in the 2016 National Draft and selection No.63 in this year’s draft in exchange for Freeman and pick No.68.
Freeman was taken with pick No.10 at the 2013 National Draft which means St Kilda now has four of the top 19 players - all midfielders - from that draft (Jack Billings pick No.3, Luke Dunstan pick No.18 and Blake Acres pick No.19).
The arrival of the 20-year-old also means the Saints have recruited four top 10 draft picks in the past three years, having selected Paddy McCartin with pick No.1 in 2014, Billings in 2013 and Billy Longer via a trade with the Brisbane Lions who took him with pick No.8 in 2011.
As it stands the Saints still have picks 5, 24, 45, 68, 81, 99 and 117 at next month’s National Draft.
St Kilda Chief Operating Officer Ameet Bains said Freeman’s signature was a major coup for the Saints.
“We have a young playing list that has generated a lot of excitement,” Bains said.
“Nathan is a quality young player with excellent character who we have followed very closely ever since he was coming through the junior system and we are delighted to have him join us.”
St Kilda coach Alan Richardson said the club had high hopes for the talented midfielder.
“Nathan’s skills and pace will make him a vital acquisition for our midfield,” Richardson said.
"His first couple of years in the AFL system have seen him struggle with hamstring injuries but after extensive discussions with our medical and high performance teams, both the club and Nathan are confident that we can get the best out of him and ensure he has a long career.”
Freeman grew up supporting the Saints and played for Vic Metro alongside Billings at the 2013 National Championships.
At the 2013 Draft Combine, Freeman came second in the 20-metre sprint with a time of 2.82 seconds which ranks in the top 10 times in the history of the combine. He also won the repeat-sprint test.
Nathan Freeman key stats:
Born: June 16, 1995
Height: 183cm
Weight: 83kg
Junior clubs: Dingley/Sandringham U18
