ST KILDA is scouring the talent pool ahead of next week's NAB AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft as it considers placing Paddy McCartin on the long-term injury list.
AFL.com.au understands the Saints have met with several prospective players, despite not currently holding a selection in the draft to be held on May 27.
McCartin is yet to participate in full training after suffering the eighth concussion in his career during the JLT Series in March.
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Saints head of football Simon Lethlean said the club was considering its options with McCartin ahead of the list deadline at midday AEST on the day of the draft.
"We will assess that over the week and weekend ahead," Saints head of football Simon Lethlean told AFL.com.au.
"No decision needs to or will be made until Sunday or Monday."
Coach Alan Richardson said last month there was no certainty McCartin would return in 2019.
"I don't know whether Paddy will play again this year," Richardson told Channel Seven.
"There's still a fair bit of water to go under the bridge there, he needs to get the all clear from the medicos. He still has symptoms, that's been a while now."
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In order to open up a selection in the Mid-Season Rookie Draft, a club needs to place its player on the 'inactive list' due to a long-term injury or retirement.
Defender Logan Austin (shoulder) is also listed with an indefinite timeframe to return.
As it stands, St Kilda would have selection No.6 should it wish to vacate a list position and take a player next week as a result of the reverse ladder.
It is understood the Saints have met with 25-year-old South Adelaide ruckman Michael Knoll among its list of potential targets.
Having lost big man Tom Hickey to West Coast last season, the Saints' current ruck division includes Rowan Marshall, Billy Longer, Lewis Pierce and project giant Sam Alabakis.
Selecting a player in the Mid-Season Rookie Draft will cost clubs up to an estimated $70,000 in its salary cap for each pick.
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A draftee would earn an estimated minimum of $50,000 for the remainder of 2019, with clubs also required to pay the player $20,000 should they not retain them for the 2020 season.
It is understood St Kilda's salary cap situation is one of the most flexible in the competition.
St Kilda has already made use of the AFL's new list rules this year after adding Jonathon Marsh and Sam Rowe via the pre-season supplemental selection period.
Both spots were available with draftee Jack Bytel (back) and veteran Dylan Roberton (heart) to miss the entire 2019 season.
The 2019 NAB AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft will be broadcast LIVE on AFL.com.au, the AFL Live Official App and Fox Footy from 6:30pm AEST on Monday, May 27
