"IMITATION is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness."

Oscar Wilde could easily have been referring to St Kilda and its pursuit of something like what Hawthorn achieved.

The Hawks have won four AFL premierships since 2008 – all under current coach Alastair Clarkson – whereas the Saints are still hunting an addition to their sole 1966 triumph.

They were agonisingly close in 2009 and 2010, a period they played in three Grand Finals; losing to Geelong by 12 points, then drawing one with Collingwood and losing the replay by 56 points.

Another list regeneration was necessary and only Nick Riewoldt, Leigh Montagna, Sam Gilbert, Jarryn Geary and David Armitage are still on St Kilda's list from that last Grand Final side.

Comparisons between young, rebuilding outfits and the champion team of the era – Hawthorn, in this example – are, perhaps, too readily made.

But they went into overdrive once Chris Pelchen, the Hawks' former list manager who played a role in transforming them from easybeats into a feared and respected juggernaut, joined the Saints.

And even more so once Pelchen, in a radio interview in 2014 after parting ways with St Kilda, stated the Saints' list was "almost identical" in demographics to that of Hawthorn circa 2004.

His timeline for St Kilda's progression has proven strikingly accurate: a difficult period before things started turning around in 2016, then a potential finals appearance in 2017.

There were tough decisions made on senior players – think Steven Baker, Zac Dawson, Andrew McQualter, Raphael Clarke and Jason Gram – just like the Hawks previously did and are doing once more.

Stars Brendon Goddard and Nick Dal Santo also chose to go elsewhere with the club's immediate direction clear.

The Saints have not only turned to the draft, with key forward Paddy McCartin a prized No.1 pick in 2014, but also recycled players from rivals.

Dylan Roberton, Jake Carlisle, Nathan Brown, Tom Hickey, Billy Longer, Jack Steele, Koby Stevens, Maverick Weller and Nathan Freeman are among the used goods.

Hawthorn integrated players like David Hale, Shaun Burgoyne, Josh Gibson, Brian Lake, James Frawley, Jack Gunston, Ben McEvoy, Jonathon Ceglar and Matt Spangher in their flag-hoarding era.

The Hawks are hoping to have just as much success with Jaeger O'Meara, Tom Mitchell and Ty Vickery.

St Kilda coach Alan Richardson hinted on Friday, ahead of Saturday's match-up with the Hawks in Launceston, there was more of that to come.

"I think a lot of clubs have looked at what Hawthorn's done in terms of bringing in (players) or going to the draft for a big period of the rebuild," Richardson said.

"And then being able to add some experienced players – Lake, Frawley.

"We're no different. We're probably not quite there yet in terms of adding or being able to add the top end or already experienced talent, but we're getting close to that.

"We think Carlisle's playing some good footy, Nathan Brown's done some really good stuff for us in terms of defending big blokes (and) Koby Stevens comes in (this week) and we expect him to be really strong and aggressive for us in the middle of the ground."

The Saints' ability to rise will depend largely on the development of first-round picks McCartin, Jack Billings, Blake Acres, Freeman, Jade Gresham, Longer, Seb Ross, Luke Dunstan and Hugh Goddard.

They are all aged 23 or younger, with Longer and Ross turning 24 in May.

Realising their potential while at least some of Riewoldt, Montagna, Jack Steven, new skipper Geary, Gilbert and Armitage are still contributing is another challenge.

But, as Pelchen – while no longer being at the club – said all those years ago, it has all been carefully planned to give that a chance.