ST KILDA coach Scott Watters wants veteran champion Lenny Hayes to play on next year after the young Saints showed positive signs in their 30-point loss to the Dockers at Patersons Stadium.
The three-time best and fairest gathered 25 possessions in just his second game since round five.
"We have ongoing discussions about next year," Watters said in the post-match press conference.
"I'll probably try to twist his arm. But to be fair to Lenny, he just wants to play out the rest of the year and that'll give him a good assessment on where he wants to go."
The three-time All Australian and Norm Smith medallist said he is yet to make a decision on his future beyond this year.
"The decision for me will be what's best for the team, best for the club and how I go in the next seven or eight weeks, I'll make a decision then," Hayes said.
The 33-year-old was really pleased to be back playing and was proud of his young side's effort given the absence of experienced trio Nick Riewoldt, Stephen Milne and Justin Koschitzke.
"It was great to be back and a part of it," Hayes said.
"We've got a lot of really good young kids and they showed a lot today.
"For a lot of them it was their first game over here in front of a hostile crowd. I thought they stood up, so there's plenty to like there.
"It's an exciting time at the moment. We had to respond after last week and probably it's the youngest side I've been involved in and they really stood up.
"We can't sustain it. Freo are a really good side, but there were some good signs there and that's something to build on and we've just got to back that up next week."
Scott Watters was proud of his team after they led the Dockers by seven points at half-time.
"There were elements to the game that we were relatively pleased with," Watters said.
"You're never satisfied without getting the final result.
"But for three-and-a-bit quarters I thought the guys were pretty good.
"We faded late in the game, stoppages and contested ball in the last quarter started to drop off.
"Up to that point, with a few of our younger players coming in off limited preparation in all reality I thought they were pretty brave. It was a good effort."
Watters was particularly pleased with Josh Saunders and Tom Lee. The 18-year-old Saunders had 17 disposals and kicked a goal in just his fourth AFL game.
"Josh's attack on his opponents, his tackling pressure for a kid who has played maybe four games of football, it's really exciting for us as a group," Watters said.
Lee kicked three goals in just his third senior game. The 22-year-old West Australian kicked 60 goals in the WAFL last season but has been hampered by injury in his first year at the Saints.
"Tom Lee was pretty good coming off limited preparation," Watters said.
"It's probably been a bit frustrating this year with Tommy because every two or three weeks he's had minor injuries that have forced him to be on the sidelines, so you want that type of player to get exposure.
"Another pre-season and we think he will be a good player."
