ST KILDA has conceded it expects to part with pick No.6 in its pursuit of rival players over the next fortnight, as the club starts to structure a host of deals ahead of the Telstra AFL Trade Period.
The Saints are set to be among the busiest clubs during the exchange period, with Dockers speedster Bradley Hill and Power ruckman Paddy Ryder already requesting trades to Moorabbin this month.
The club has also been linked with potential moves for Port Adelaide duo Dougal Howard and Sam Gray, as well as Sydney midfielder Zak Jones.
It means that the club's first-round pick at this year's NAB AFL Draft is almost certain to depart the club at some point over the next fortnight.
There's nothing concrete with other clubs just yet, but I think we're probably aware that we may not have that pick on draft night - James Gallagher
"We plan on being reasonably active in the Trade Period – within reason," St Kilda list manager James Gallagher told AFL.com.au on Friday.
"It would be nice to hold on to that early pick No.6, but we're also pragmatic. If we want to be a club that brings in some talented players, then we need to be open-minded with that.
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"There's nothing concrete with other clubs just yet, but I think we're probably aware that we may not have that pick on draft night."
St Kilda is already light on draft selections this year, having parted with its second-round pick in a deal for Dan Hannebery last season and giving up its third-round selection in a pick swap with North Melbourne.
Dan Hennbery celebrates a goal against the Blues in round 22. Picture: AFL Photos
It means that should the Saints lose pick No.6, they will be left without a selection until pick No.56 in next month's draft.
However, the club is identifying fresh ways that it can get back into the early parts of the draft over the next month.
"We need to keep bringing in talented kids to our football club," Gallagher said.
"We want to try and find a way to have some picks through that early and mid-part of the draft. We need to be pretty open-minded and a bit creative with how we do that.
"We've had a lot of good discussions with other clubs this week and we'll continue to do so over the next couple of weeks to try and find a way to get back in a bit earlier."
