MORE opportunity and greater financial security are among the key reasons why Melbourne forward Dean Kent has sought a trade to St Kilda, his manager Ben Niall says.

After playing 63 games in six seasons at the Demons, Kent asked to be traded to the Saints in his exit meeting with Melbourne this week.

Niall said the prospect of playing more in the midfield was also an appealing factor for his client.

"If he (Kent) goes to St Kilda he's going to be given time to play in the midfield," Niall told Macquarie Sports Radio.

"If you look at Melbourne's midfield,  it's very, very deep, so we're looking to get him in a situation where he's given the opportunity to play more up the field more often.

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"So he'll get that chance and there's that scope for him to play wing, half-back and in the centre square, so that could extend his career.

"He's been given an opportunity to go to a club where that exists and he's been given an offer which is more secure in terms of length and financially, so this makes a lot of sense to be realistic and think about his family.

"If he wants to be in the system for seven or eight more years he would be smarter to go the Saints and be an important part of their midfield mix."

Kent managed five senior games this season after injuring his hamstring early in the year, while he missed the club's finals campaign after hurting the AC joint in his shoulder in round 23.

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