ST KILDA is confident of re-signing key duo Zac Dawson and Farren Ray and has scotched any suggestion they could be traded.
The pair is yet to put pen to paper in what has been a tumultuous post-season for the Saints following the unexpected departure of coach Ross Lyon to Fremantle.
St Kilda list manager Ameet Bains said the club was in discussions with Dawson and Ray about committing to the Saints.
"They are still uncontracted but we have been having discussions with them over the course of the year and we certainly haven't been putting them out there to be traded," Bains told afl.com.au.
"We're reasonably confident [they will re-sign]. They want to stay at the club and we'd ideally like to have them at the club."
The Saints are unlikely to be big players during next week's trade period despite rumours that some big names may be moved on due to salary cap restraints.
"From our end I don't think we'll be that active really. There has been a lot of speculation about our club and players being traded but that certainly hasn't been generated from discussions we've been having," Bains said.
Bains said he expected a quiet trade week across the board, with the main discussions to centre on players who had declared they wanted to return to their home states.
"My take is there is unlikely to be a lot of movement really. I think a couple of the clubs that have lost players is where most of the attention will be focused, obviously Mitch Clark wants to go home, Brad Ebert now as well and also Jack Gunston," he said.
"I don't have a sense that there is going to be a really heavy trade period to be honest. I think there might be a lot more rookie upgrades at clubs and replenishing lists that way and that will be supplemented by the draft."
New franchise club Greater Western Sydney has the rights to the best 17-year-old players in the country as part of the upcoming mini-draft, where it can trade away picks as it sees fit.
However, Bains said St Kilda will not be one of the clubs in contention.
"It would be nice but I think the asking price for that might be a bit beyond what we're capable of giving," he said.
"We've got a pretty strong core group and we think we will still be competitive next year, finals competitive at the very least so we are certainly not going to be looking at trading those guys and I think that is really the end that GWS is seeking."
The Saints recruiting staff, headed by Bains and head recruiter Tony Elshaug, is the only one of the 18 clubs unable to consult with a senior coach but Bains said that was only a minor disadvantage.
"Most of our assistant coaching group has remained intact so they've obviously been part of everything over the course of the year," he said.
"In terms of list management and recruiting function it has been unchanged since the very start of the year. Everything's kept moving. It would be nice to have someone in there and be comfortable with what is happening but that process is very structured and thorough. I would have thought it would be resolved over the next couple of weeks."