Former Tigers midfielder Patrick Naish and ex-Port Adelaide defender Jarrod Lienert have reportedly been invited to train with St Kilda this pre-season.
The pair were both delisted from their respective clubs following the conclusion of last season, with Lienert returning to SANFL club Sturt, while Naish also ventured to the South Australian league in joining Norwood for the 2022 season.
Lienert was culled from the Power after 23 games in the AFL, featuring on five occasions last year before not being offered an extension by Port Adelaide for 2022.
The 27-year-old revealed in November last year that he had kept in contact with an array of clubs in hope of securing an AFL lifeline, before signing with the Double Blues in the SANFL prior to the new year.
Naish faced a similar fate at the end of last year, having played nine matches for the Tigers across four years at Punt Road, joining Richmond as a father-son selection in 2017.
Both Lienert and Naish are now understood to be within a chance of gaining a reprieve in the AFL, with the Saints set to add the pair to their pre-season program according toย 7 News' Mitch Cleary.
St Kilda is looking to two ex-AFL players as possible reinforcements for the list spot opened up by Nick Coffieldโs ACL.
Former Tiger wingman Patrick Naish and former Power defender Jarrod Lienert will train with the Saints in the next fortnight @7NewsMelbourne @7AFL
— Mitch Cleary (@cleary_mitch) February 12, 2022
The Saints currently have two available list spots for the upcoming season, however that could stretch to three following Nick Coffield's season-ending ACL injury.
Standing at 195cm tall and able to accurately move the ball in defence, Lienert frames as the like-for-like replacement for Coffield. The versatile defender averaged a disposal efficiency rating of 97% in Port Adelaide's reserves last year in be a formidable option in defence.
The Saints will have until March 9 to confirm their Supplemental Selection Period additions, with any remaining list spots potentially being held for the Mid-Season Rookie Draft in June.
Woodville-West premiership star Jack Hayes has already impressed under Brett Ratten throughout the opening of the SSP, with the SANFL star tipped to earn a spot on the Saints' list.
The tall utility, who averaged 19.7 disposals, 7.7 marks, 4.4 tackles, 2.4 clearances and over a goal per game last year, was a standout for the Eagles in their premiership-winning campaign, where he earned best afield honours in their grand final victory.
St Kilda will face Carlton on February 24 and Essendon on March 5 as part of their pre-season schedule, before clashing with Collingwood in Round 1 of the AFL season at Marvel on Friday, March 18.
