THE SAINTS appear to have softened their stance on trading their first pick from this year's NAB AFL Draft if it helps them secure Giants midfielder Dylan Shiel.
Shiel is yet to declare his intentions for next season but the Saints are expecting to hear from the 25-year-old in the next 24 hours.
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He's also been linked to Carlton, Essendon and Hawthorn.
The Saints were emphatic just last Friday their top pick – currently pick No.3 but set to become No.4 after the Tom Lynch compensation is awarded – was off the table.
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But football manager Simon Lethlean said on Monday "all assets" would be in play if Shiel nominated the Saints.
"We're waiting to hear from Dylan in the next 24 hours so once we hear that, we'll assess and do some work with the Giants then," Lethlean told reporters at Marvel Stadium on day one of the NAB AFL Trade Period.
"All assets are on the table to get a deal done and we're keen on Dylan and if he's keen on us, we'll make it work.
"We haven't been told no so until we are, we'll put our best foot forward.
"I think he's deliberating now so until it's a no, it's a yes in our mind and we'll keep ploughing ahead as planned."
Shiel, Dan Hannebery and Dean Kent have emerged as the Saints' priorities over the next week and a half.
Lethlean said there was work to be done with Sydney and Melbourne in regards to Hannebery and Kent, respectively, but was confident the Saints could land the star Swan.
"We don't know [if we'll need extra picks to get Hannebery done]. We're talking to the Swans now, we've got picks, we've got future picks and we've got players so all those assets can be used," he said.
"We've had preliminary discussions with the Swans and that will take a few days I'm sure to flesh itself out."
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They will also talk to West Coast about contracted ruckman Tom Hickey, who looms as a possible replacement for Scott Lycett. The Eagles' premiership ruckman is likely to shift to Port Adelaide after the Power tabled an offer for the free agent on Saturday.
"We haven't directly [talked to the Eagles]. We'll meet with most clubs today and in the next few days and if they're keen on Tom, we've told him we're available for him to go and source options for himself," Lethlean said.
"If that's one of the ones he's after, we'll talk to West Coast at some stage."
Again, Lethlean emphatically declared Jack Steven would remain a Saint while Luke Dunstan is also expected to stay, with no clubs raising his name in the early stages of the trade period.
Jack Lonie, whose has been linked to Collingwood, is overseas and contemplating the details of a contract offer from the Saints.
Lethlean said they would talk to the Power if Chad Wingard declared his intention to move, but they remained focused on Hannebery, Kent and Shiel first.
He also said they had no interest in Richmond's Jacob Townsend.
