The St Kilda Football Club is pleased to announce the re-signing of five key players to the Club.

2011 Most Professional Player Award recipient, Sean Dempster, has joined teammates Farren Ray, Brett Peake, Dean Polo and Raph Clarke in re-signing with the Club. While Jason Blake is committed to staying with the Saints despite having to be delisted as a Veteran listed player to be returned to the Club's Primary List in 2012.

Dempster, 27, was traded to St Kilda from Sydney at the end of the 2007 season and has played 65 matches for the Club thus far. 2011 was a stellar season for the utility, finishing third in the Club’s Best & Fairest Award.

Dean Polo, 25, played 15 matches for St Kilda in 2011 after joining from Richmond. Fellow Midfielder Farren Ray, 25, debuted for the Saints in 2009 after leaving the Western Bulldogs at the end of the 2008 season and has made 71 appearances for the Club.

Midfielder Brett Peake, 28, was recruited by the Saints during the 2009 AFL Trade Period and has played 42 games, while defender Raph Clarke, 26, has played 82 games for St Kilda since being drafted with pick number 8 in the 2003 AFL National Draft.

Blake, 30, has played 199 games for St Kilda and was one of three ‘Veteran’ listed players in 2011. To return to the Saints Primary List as a regular listed player, and technically assist in the re-positioning of the Club's TPP model, he must be delisted and be re-drafted through either the 2011 AFL National or Pre-Season Drafts.

The St Kilda Football Club has reached the AFL Finals Series for the past four years, a Club record, and Head of Football, Chris Pelchen, said that the Saints believed it was important to keep the nucleus of their list together.

“We are extremely pleased to have finalised our Primary List ahead of the 2011 AFL National Draft,” explained Head of Football Chris Pelchen.

“These players have indicated their commitment to the Saints, supporting the future direction of the St Kilda Football Club,” concluded Pelchen.

St Kilda Football Club can also confirm that Zac Dawson’s management has informed the Club that it has declined the offer of a contract extension and that he wishes to seek opportunities elsewhere. St Kilda would like to thank Zac for his contribution to the Saints and wishes him every success for the future.

All of these changes will be formalised when the Club lodges its second List Lodgement on 16 November 2011.