TWO OF ST Kilda's brightest young stars in Jack Billings and Luke Dunstan have confirmed they're on the cusp of signing multi-year contract extensions with the club.
And, it's believed Blake Acres is in the same boat while Eli Templeton is expected to be upgraded to the primary list for next season.
The extension of the trio's initial draft contracts, which automatically take them through until the end of 2015, is excellent news for the rebuilding Saints.
Billings said he felt the club was "absolutely" going in the right direction and had no doubts about committing beyond the end of next season.
"We've got a good young group and will hopefully get some more talent at this year's draft," Billings told AFL.com.au.
"It's pretty exciting moving forward and we've just got to put our heads down and work hard."
Dunstan, who hails from South Australia, said he understood the lure of playing for a club from his home state would continue to present itself throughout his career.
But for now, he said he was happy at St Kilda and was honoured to have been chosen by retired club great Lenny Hayes to wear his No.7 guernsey next year.
"I'm on the verge of [re-signing]," Dunstan said.
"We're close. Hopefully we'll come to something over the next couple of weeks.
"I guess [the lure of going home] will come but I'm not too fazed. I'm pretty happy where I am.
"I think we're building something pretty special with the young group we've got so I'm looking forward to it."
Billings, Dunstan and Acres were selected by the Saints with their three first-round selections in last year's NAB AFL Draft – No.3, 18 and 19.
Dunstan said it would be significant for the future of the club when the three of them extended their current deals, along with livewire rookie Templeton.
"I think it would be pretty massive," he said.
"We've had a few good players come through that are playing their third year now like Seb Ross and Jack Newnes and those guys and then last year with Nathan Wright and Spencer White.
"With Eli as well, hopefully us four can sign on and build something special."
Billings agreed it was important for the trio to pledge their commitment to the continuing rebuild of the club, which is expected to take time after it finished on the bottom of the ladder this year.
With their new deals expected to be at least two years – possibly three – he said he looked forward to them forging ahead as a young group.
"We all got drafted together and hopefully we can have long and successful careers here," he said.
"It's just about working hard as a young guy and earning the respect of your teammates and developing as a player."
All three of the 2013 draftees had their seasons ended early by injury.
Billings strained his hamstring in round 20 and Dunstan succumbed to a mid-season shoulder injury in round 19 and underwent season-ending surgery.
While Billings will start pre-season on time, Dunstan expects to be in full training by Christmas.
Acres played three senior games in his debut season before he was ruled out for the year because of a problematic quad.
Billings and Dunstan were both nominated for the NAB AFL Rising Star, which was won by the Brisbane Lions' Lewis Taylor on Wednesday, and played 16 senior games each.
The Saints are also working through extensions for a number of other youngsters, including second-year midfielder Josh Saunders.
