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ESSENDON swingman Jake Carlisle has nominated St Kilda as his preferred destination.

AFL.com.au revealed Carlisle's decision to head to Seaford on Wednesday, and the 24-year-old confirmed to NAB AFL Trade Radio on Thursday morning that it had been difficult choosing between the Saints and Carlton but that he "couldn't be happier" with his decision.

"It's a perfect fit," Carlisle said.

Carlisle's manager Anthony McConville said Carlisle had agreed to a "lengthy deal" with the Saints, but one that was less than five years in duration.

St Kilda now needs to broker a trade with Essendon.

Carlisle cited the need for "a fresh start" away from Essendon after several seasons playing under the cloud of the Bombers' controversial supplements program.

The 200cm Carlisle played 85 games in six seasons with the Bombers.

Carlisle revealed he decided to leave Essendon a week or two before the end of the club's season, but insisted he had tried to give everything to people who developed him as a person. 

He said he had told Essendon's list manager Adrian Dodoro: "I love the club, love the boys, but I just need to move on." 

Carlisle's close mate Paddy Ryder left Essendon for Port Adelaide at the end of last year.

"I don't hold grudges about it, and I hope vice versa as well," Carlisle said.

"I'm not running away from anything. Hopefully I'm running towards something that's very good … 

"I wanted to go somewhere where I could build something with a young group, and being young myself I want to take them with me, with all the maturity that I've got now over the past six years." 

Dodoro, for his part, said the Dons expected to extract full value from the Saints out of any Carlisle trade.

“We are disappointed to lose Jake but our attention now turns to securing the best deal for Essendon,” Dodoro told the Bombers website. 

“He is the best key position player on the market. There aren’t many players across the competition that can take 19 marks one week and then kick eight goals the next.

“St Kilda has pick No.5 in the National Draft and we think that represents fair value for a player of Jake’s quality.”

Carlisle spent much of the latter part of his time at Essendon in attack but was pleased to report that at St Kilda he would play predominantly in defence, where he first made his name.

Carlisle has high hopes for the Saints, believing they can make the finals next year and be in the top four within three years.

His move to Seaford reunites him with two men with whom he shares strong relationships: St Kilda coach Alan Richardson, a one-time development coach at Essendon, and backline mentor Rohan Welsh, who coached Carlisle in the Vic Metro under-18 side in 2009.

"I see myself as a perfect fit. I've just turned 24 so hopefully I can finish off my career there and obviously show the young kids there how to develop as well," Carlisle said. 

Carlisle revealed Saints skipper Nick Riewoldt spoke to him several weeks ago, before the Bomber went on an overseas holiday. 

"He said, 'I want you to make the right decision. Obviously I'd love to have you there, but it's up to you,'" Carlisle said.

Carlisle has battled knee tendinitis for "four or five years" and it was "pretty severe" this year, but is confident he can manage it long term. 

The NAB AFL Trade period officially commences on Monday.