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ST KILDA has flagged its interest in boosting its key defensive stocks by opening discussions with delisted Sydney backman Michael Talia.
Talia was cut by the Swans about a fortnight ago after playing just one senior match at the club.
He was traded from the Western Bulldogs at the end of 2015 in a situation shrouded with controversy.
Talia was investigated and ultimately cleared of sharing game-sensitive information with his brother Daniel, who played for Adelaide, in the lead-up to the Dogs' elimination final loss to the Crows that year.
In August 2016, the former Swan plead guilty to cocaine possession.
Saints chief operating officer Ameet Bains told NAB AFL Trade Radio on Thursday the club wanted to add more height to its defence, particularly with Hugh Goddard in rehab with a long-term toe injury in his right foot.
"We've got Nathan Brown and Jake Carlisle who both played the entire season for us, but it's a little bit thin underneath that," Bains said.
"We've been investigating different ways in which we can bolster our defensive stocks and Michael's back in Melbourne and keen to have a chat, so we did that."
Meanwhile, St Kilda is one of a number of clubs in pursuit of Greater Western Sydney small forward Devon Smith, along with Carlton, Essendon and Collingwood.
However, Bains said the Saints weren't going after Smith as strongly as his other suitors.
"When a player of his quality indicates that they're keen to come back to Victoria and leave their current club then obviously you've got to get into the conversation, but our interest certainly has only been a preliminary one," Bains said.
"He obviously has a few clubs there and I don't want to speak on behalf of other clubs, but certainly our interest hasn't been pursued to the same level."
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