DISCARDED Collingwood ruckman Darren Jolly has moved into St Kilda's sights after the surprise trade of Ben McEvoy to Hawthorn on Thursday.
McEvoy caught everyone by surprise when he became a Hawk for midfielder Shane Savage and first-round draft selection No.17.
His departure from the club leaves former Gold Coast big man Tom Hickey, who has played 24 AFL games, as the No.1 ruckman at St Kilda with Rhys Stanley as his back up.
The Saints also have 18-year-old Lewis Pierce on their list, who is 202cm but is entering just his second season.
While the speed with which the McEvoy trade evolved has left the Saints with little time to contemplate tall options to replace him, they have already enquired about Jolly.
The two-time premiership player was delisted by the Magpies last month.
He has continued to train since leaving Collingwood and is believed to be in good condition.
Jolly also has a pre-existing relationship with St Kilda coach Scott Watters, who was an assistant at Collingwood in 2010-11.
It is also believed the Saints will acquire another first-round selection for McEvoy.
The clubs are expected to trade Hawthorn's Lance Franklin compensation pick for the Saints' early second round selection, which is currently No.21, when the AFL confirms what the Hawks will get on October 18.
That will leave the Saints with their desired outcome of three selections within the top 20 for next month's draft.
They are loathe to trade any of their high picks, which leaves Brisbane Lions' ruckman Billy Longer an unlikely acquisition given he was linked to the Hawks' pick No.17 before the McEvoy trade.
An experienced big man like Jolly, who could join the Saints as a free agent, would fit their needs perfectly and wouldn't cost them a draft selection.
AFL.com.au believes St Kilda was made aware of a multitude of options following Thursday's McEvoy deal.
The Saints benefitted from trading for ready-made ruckmen Michael Gardiner (2006) and Steven King (2007) during the Ross Lyon era.
