Jade Gresham could make his way to Carlton for next season with signs reportedly pointing to the Saint joining the Blues as a restricted free agent come season's end.
The 25-year-old was the 18th pick in the 2015 draft and has played 120 games for the Saints since. Gresham was St Kilda's leading goal kicker in 2018, received a rising star nomination in 2016 and was been included in the AFL Players Association 22Under22 in 2018 and 2019.
Gresham had signed an extension with the Saints in 2019 for four years that ends at the conclusion of the 2023 season, where he now has the ability to have the right to free agency.
Reporter Sam Edmund revealedย on SEN that links between Gresham and the Blues are increasing, while touching on the potential players who could be walking out the door of Carlton at the end of the season.
"I think a move to Carlton is just becoming a little more likely as the weeks go on," Edmund said.
"He's on very solid money mind you at St Kilda, so coming off a four-year deal signed in 2019.
"What Carlton can and can't afford is intriguing. Mitch McGovern's deal comes off the books, Tom De Koning may not be there, Uncertainty over (Jack) Silvagni, (Paddy) Dow, (Lachie) Plowman, and the like.
"Gresham did park contract talks earlier this year. There's been conversations happening behind the scenes about what a move would look like to the Blues in terms of it being a compensation pick or a trade."
Edmund flagged Gresham's potential departure could strengthen St Kilda's chances of acquiring reported trade target Miles Bergman.
"What that would allow the Saints to do in the event that Miles Bergman decides to come home to Victoria or may not decide," Edmund added.
"Bergman might decide to stay at Port Adelaide, but he's someone on St Kilda's radar of course. And then how Jade Gresham might fit into that should he look to exercise his free agency rights. That is a scenario."
With the second half of the season coming up, this space will be one to watch to see what plans Gresham has. The Saints have already been linked with both De Koning and Dow, with former Blues list manager Stephen Silvagni joining St Kilda for 2023.
Gresham is currently averaging close to 17 disposals per game and has kicked 10 goals so far in 2023.
