ST KILDA head of football Chris Pelchen has warned supporters to prepare for short-term pain ahead, as the club re-shapes its playing list for a fresh premiership tilt.

In an open letter to members posted on saints.com.au, Pelchen revealed the Saints would aggressively pursue early draft picks over the next four years, in a bid to "restore the balance" to their list.

And, he said, the club would not seek to recruit free agents until 2016, given players aged 26 and over did not represent the key focus of the "list transition".

The strategy, Pelchen said, was similar to that used during his time at Port Adelaide from 1996 until 2004, and at Hawthorn between 2005 and 2011.

It is based on a study of AFL premiership teams over the past 10-plus years, and a detailed analysis of St Kilda's list compared to the other 17 clubs.

"St Kilda is committed to an active rebuild that will transition the club to its next era of success," Pelchen said.

"…Although we anticipate 2014 will present similar challenges as this year, we remain committed to the task of making the difficult decisions to make us great again."

Within the 40-page strategy document, presented to the club's board in June, was a goal of increasing the Saints' activity in the first three rounds of the NAB AFL Draft by 50 per cent over the next four years.

That goal included the already stated aim of having three picks in the first round of this year's draft – something the Saints have moved towards with Thursday's trade of ruckman Ben McEvoy for Shane Savage and Hawthorn's first round pick.

"We are not simply leaving our future to chance," Pelchen said.

"We recognise where we are at as a club and what is required to take us forward.

"Our decision-making is based upon a proven formula of success."

St Kilda made successive Grand Finals in 2009 and 2010, but has since slipped from premiership contention and won only five matches in 2013.