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ST KILDA is working to extend the contract of No.1 draft selection Paddy McCartin until the end of 2018, after a promising start to his AFL career.
The 19-year-old, who played six games this season after becoming a Saint in last year's NAB AFL Draft, is in line for a two-year extension.
The Saints have already extended the contracts of McCartin's fellow 2014 draftees Hugh Goddard, Daniel McKenzie and Jack Lonie, plus that of rookie Jack Sinclair.
McCartin recently had surgery to repair an injury to his right ring finger but is expected to complete a full pre-season, starting when the first-to-fourth year players return to the club on November 9.
"It was a reasonably standard procedure, nothing too alarming," St Kilda football manager Jamie Cox told AFL.com.au.
"He had a dislocation that didn't go completely back in during the season, quite early on.
"He played the year with it and it was just a case of getting it tidied up, so he'd have better mobility and a better grip on the ball, basically.
"He'll be fine."
The Saints are in talks with McCartin's management regarding the new deal but have been caught up with VFL affiliate Sandringham's progression to this weekend's preliminary final.
The deal is expected to be finalised in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Saints captain Nick Riewoldt is headed to the US, where his wife Catherine is from, for the next few months after avoiding surgery on his degenerative knee for the second straight year.
The veteran forward, who turns 33 next month, will start running at Christmas after a strong off-legs program in the lead-up to the festive season.
"He had no surgery, which is good," Cox said.
"It's just the usual maintenance for him and he'll stick to his usual program.
"He knows what's got to be done and he'll present in great nick, we've got no doubt about that."
The Saints are also confident Jack Billings will have a full pre-season but he will be closely monitored after developing a fracture line in his left shin in July.
Billings didn't play after round 10 but is slated to return on November 9, with at most some minor training restrictions after a substantial period off legs.
"It will give the bone a chance to heal properly, we've still got time on our side so whilst I'm sure he'll be keen to get back into it, we won't let him until we're confident it's all healed up," Cox said.
"He should have a full pre-season, that's how far progressed he is.
"It's all heading the right way."
Defender Jarryn Geary had a groin release operation last week and will have a gradual start to his pre-season while Tom Lee is recovering from a second ankle operation.
Lee had one ankle tightened in early August, and recently underwent the same procedure on his other foot.
The contracted forward is expected to be "relatively" ready for a full crack at a summer program, after being affected by shoulder problems in recent pre-seasons.
"We got him out [of the season] early so he could have a real good crack at getting himself as fit as possible," Cox said.
"He could still technically be playing VFL finals but we made the choice to give him the best chance to have a really strong year."
Billy Longer and Tim Membrey both had shoulder reconstructions and won't do contract training before Christmas but should be running in November.
The Saints are planning a heat training camp on the Sunshine Coast in early December, and potentially an additional young players camp after the success of their Canberra trip last year.
