There are a number of people from inside and outside the football industry who have been linked to the newly created general manager of football performance role over the past few weeks.
Port Adelaide list manager and former Saints player Jason Cripps is believed to be in the club's sights, while Fremantle's general manager of player management Brad Lloyd has been sounded out.
Cripps lives in a Melbourne bayside suburb despite working for Port Adelaide as list manager since the end of 2011, following assistant coaching stints with both the Saints and the Power after his retirement in 2002.
It has been reported Lloyd is happy to remain with the Dockers, where he is contracted.
It is also believed ex-Saints player Andrew Thompson has been mentioned for the role, which would see him move from his current position as the club's football director.
Assistant coach Danny Sexton is another potential candidate from within the club.
But AFLPA general manager of player relations Ian Prendergast is not in contention, despite being open to the idea of moving into a club environment at some stage.
AFL.com.au understands Prendergast, despite his obvious link to Saints CEO Matt Finnis – who he worked with at the players' association – has not spoken to the club.
The ex-Carlton player and lawyer is happy at the AFLPA despite being overlooked for the CEO position Finnis vacated earlier this year, in favour of former Australian Cricketers' Association CEO Paul Marsh.
Hamilton is the latest to be linked to the role after leaving Essendon in September 2012 – five months before the Bombers self-reported to the AFL and ASADA about the club's supplements use that year.
He has since been working as regional general manager of Central Victorian Football, based in Bendigo.
It was believed the Saints were keen to make an appointment sooner rather than later but it appears as though it could take some more time.
"We've been working through the interview process over the last few weeks," chief operating officer Ameet Bains said on Wednesday.
"It's been quite pleasing the level of candidates who have applied and others we've approached, both within the football industry and externally.
"We're very confident we'll make a good appointment in the next couple of weeks."
Applications for the position closed on November 7, a week before the Saints' newly appointed director of coaching Luke Beveridge left for the senior coaching job at the Western Bulldogs without starting at Seaford.
Finding a football manager became the Saints' priority after the departure of head of football Chris Pelchen last month.
But the fact some candidates are tied up with other clubs ahead of Thursday night's NAB AFL Draft may have complicated the appointment process.
The responsibilities Beveridge was set to fill will likely be rolled into the football manager's brief, which means the position will call for increased leadership within the football program.
Bains is not in consideration for the role despite currently overseeing its duties.
The former lawyer is moving away from football-related responsibilities and more towards the commercial side of the club, but will continue to be involved in player contracts.
Former Melbourne football manager and Fremantle coach Chris Connolly was recently reported as in the frame for the job but it's believed he would be an unlikely appointment.
