REJUVENATED St Kilda defender Jake Carlisle has declared the current Saints list the best he's seen ahead of his fourth season at the club.

Carlisle is nearing full training loads after an injury-interrupted 2019 and believes the continuity of young players, combined with six fresh recruits, has the Saints on track for a quick rise.

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The Saints missed the finals by one match in Carlisle's first year in 2017 before sliding in the subsequent two seasons.

"Definitely (it's the best)," Carlisle said on Monday.

"Not only because we've got guys come in in the off-season, but we've got guys who have played together for two or three years now. We've got the right people here to help us win games."

The former Bomber was sent for back surgery in March last year after a limited preparation, then returned quicker than expected to play the final 10 matches despite being underdone.

"This time last year was a bit tough mentally and physically. It's good to get over the niggles," he said.

"I'll just hopefully get back to being the best player I can individually and, if that's the case, hopefully that's going to help the team contribute to wins."

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Carlisle's name was raised ahead of last year's Telstra Trade Period as an option for rival clubs, but he said he never contemplated leaving.

"I was never going anywhere, I just wanted to get through the year because it'd been tough and reset this off-season and go again - which I have," he said. 

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"I don't worry about the outside noise anymore. I was fine where I was, I was happy to be here, obviously triggered my contract last year, so things are looking good."

The 28-year-old took part in Monday's match simulation – officiated by League umpires Chris Donlon and Ray Chamberlain – and has been doing all he can to avoid playing on second-year forward Max King.

"He's looking really good," Carlisle said of King. 

"He's fit, he's strong and I think his knee's been pretty good and I think his ankle from last year has been really good.

"I don't like playing on him at training so it's pretty good handing him over (to another teammate) at times because he's going to be a pretty good player."

Bradley Hill and Zak Jones – two of the Saints' new faces alongside Dougal Howard, Paddy Ryder Dan Butler and Ryan Abbott – were among those to catch the eye in the scratch match.

Dan Hannebery was sighted in the early stages before stepping out to complete an individual running session, while Howard excited the Saints hierarchy with a high-flying mark in a pack of six.

Jack Steele (knee) and Dylan Roberton (heart) both trained fully after delayed starts pre-Christmas. 

Captain Jarryn Geary trained away from the main group with a calf niggle alongside Matty Parker and reigning best and fairest Seb Ross, who is overcoming tightness.

Running defender Jimmy Webster is training indoors as he builds his loads after battling back soreness in November and December. 

Pakistan cricket legend Wasim Akram was a keen onlooker at training, on hand to offer his support to the Australian Bushfire Relief Fund by auctioning off signed cricket bats and balls.

Akram, after pledging his commitment to the red, white and black, attempted to kick a Sherrin under the tutelage of Saints forward Tim Membrey.  

"I married an Australian, a Melbourne girl, a St Kilda girl," Akram said. 

"I called my father-in-law eight years ago to ask permission to marry his daughter and he said only on one condition: 'You have to follow St Kilda'."