ST KILDA has confirmed its interest in luring Nathan Freeman from Collingwood but admits there is still plenty of work to be done before the explosive midfielder becomes a Saint.
After two-injury riddled years at the Magpies, the No.10 pick of the 2013 NAB AFL Draft has told Collingwood he wants a fresh start at another club.
The 20-year-old is yet to play an AFL match and has nominated St Kilda as his preferred destination.
St Kilda's chief operating officer Ameet Bains confirmed on Saturday the club had spoken to Freeman in the past fortnight, after contract talks broke down with the Pies.
"It was something from our end that developed quite late and there is still quite a bit to work (to do) given things are pretty fresh," Bains told ABC radio.
"We were an interested onlooker as Collingwood and his management group tried to navigate a contract situation with him.
"In the last couple of weeks there was an opportunity to get involved and speak to Nathan. It's culminated in his decision to want to leave Collingwood."
However, Bains added a trade was a long way from being finalised.
"From our point of view, we’d rather not speculate [on what the trade will be] on the basis that we are yet to speak to Collingwood," he said.
"There is a bit to work through and work to be done."
Freeman's manager Paul Connors said last week his client's move was not financially motivated, but rather driven by a perceived lack of opportunity at the Pies.
Collingwood is set to secure the services of brilliant GWS midfielder Adam Treloar.
His impending arrival, along with the recruitment of Levi Greenwood and Jack Crisp in the past 12 months, means competition for spots in the Pies' midfield will be hot.
A series of hamstring injuries restricted Freeman to just four VFL games in his first two seasons at Collingwood.
Bains said he was confident a fit and injury-free Freeman would be a significant asset to the Saints' midfield.
"He is a player who has explosive pace through the midfield, which is a need for us in terms of that outside run," Bains said.
"Outside of Jack Steven, most of the guys don’t tend to have that breakaway line-breaking pace that Nathan has got. His attributes complement us.
"We’re confident that any player we bring into our club will have passed a medical test satisfactorily and certainly they will be someone that the club will be seeking to play for a long period of time."
The Saints currently have pick No.5 in this year's national draft, with their second round pick at No.24.
St Kilda has also been linked to Bomber Jake Carlisle, who is currently overseas but has informed Essendon he wants to be traded.
The AFL's trade period begins on October 12.
