With one of the biggest off-contract lists remaining in 2024, coupled with the club's position between contention and rebuilding, St Kilda loom as a big watch this off-season.
Midway through their second season under Ross Lyon, the Saints will fall short of successive finals finishes after a surprising top eight return last year.
With over 20 players still unsigned for next year, including a gun defender potentially on the way out, the Saints have plenty of list calls to make over the coming months and will likely attack the draft once again.
But the need for experienced talent is sure to be considered, and there could be several options for Stephen Silvagni and his team to chase this trade and free agency season.
So who could the Saints target? We've named five players potentially of interest for the Moorabbin club...
OTHER TRADE TARGETS: ADELAIDE, BRISBANE, CARLTON, COLLINGWOOD, ESSENDON, FREMANTLE, GEELONG, GOLD COAST, GWS, HAWTHORN, MELBOURNE, NORTH MELBOURNE, PORT ADELAIDE, RICHMOND
The first of several key defenders listed for the Saints to potentially target, with Haynes an experienced option who, importantly, would come at no trade cost.
A free agent at GWS this year and someone who perhaps isn't viewed as a best 23 player any more, Haynes has more to give in the AFL and could suit a club needing a second or third-string tall defender.
Given Haynes' free agency status, the inaugural Giant won't be required to trade for, meaning only the veteran's salary - which is likely to be heavily reduced - is all that the Saints would need to stump up.
He may not fit the age demographic of St Kilda's list build, but he can at the very least be a player who can bridge the gap between the likes of Dougal Howard and the club's emerging ranks, with the potential exit of Josh Battle set to open up that void.
An All-Australian and best and fairest winner, Haynes could be a fitting mentor alongside the likes of Callum Wilkie and Howard for the Saints' next batch of key defenders.
Much like his ex-teammate Haynes, Tomlinson has plenty to offer but is facing an unclear future at his club.
The Melbourne backman has been formidable during his stints at senior level this year but hasn't been favoured over senior trio Jake Lever, Steven May and Tom McDonald understandably.
Tomlinson could slot into a void in defence that could be opened by Josh Battle's potential departure. And while the Saints would likely gain a high draft selection for his loss, they wouldn't be paying much - if anything - for Tomlinson.
Young tall Isaac Keeler is still some time from a steady role under Ross Lyon, and should Battle depart then the Saints could utilise Tomlinson as a stop-gap.
The third key defensive option for the Saints to consider. And while Edwards isn't a name to leap off the page, he could be the best of the lot.
The West Coast backman has often been a few spots back in the pecking order at West Coast given the reign of premiership duo Tom Barrass and Jeremy McGovern, while youngster Rhett Bazzo is seen as a hopeful stalwart for the future.
Edwards, who has played just five games in 2024, has shown more than enough to be AFL standard and a worthy rearguard piece for any side, and may take over from McGovern in the coming years - or from Barrass should his ties to Victorian interest persist and reach something fruitful.
At 200cm tall, Edwards has the height and build to match many of the new-age key forwards across the competition, and what Eagles fans have seen in short time has offered plenty of positives.
While contracted for next year, Ladhams is one player who could weigh up his options this off-season given the lack of reliance Sydney have for the former Port Adelaide big man.
Ladhams departed Alberton for the Harbour City at the end of 2021 in the hope of taking on the No.1 ruck role under John Longmire, only for injury and form issues to delay any promotion of the sort.
The arrival of Brodie Grundy over the off-season has put a line through Ladhams' plans and has him held to the VFL for the foreseeable future as Grundy returns to the level of form that won him multiple All-Australian selections.
Able to hold down a forward role and assist as a ruckman, Ladhams could be a fitting partner for Saints Star Rowan Marshall given the likely list need of a hybrid key position talent.
Ladhams and Marshall could share the two positions and offer some support to Max King in attack, while the partnership would also alleviate Marshall of the entire ruck workload.
(Written prior to recent contract extension).
Once touted as a 'unicorn' given his ability to play across all three lines as an athletic key-position talent, the value of Cox has somewhat wavered over the past few seasons since his bright start in the red and black.
One of many off-contract at Tullamarine, would St Kilda come calling for Cox as they look to fill multiple holes in their list going forward.
Like the Bombers, St Kilda have over 20 players still unsigned for 2025 and could undergo an off-season of immense change, and could look toward a handful of versatile and emerging assets to aid the structure of their squad.
Cox, a former top 10 draft selection, is seen as a player yet to understand his best role midway through his fourth season in the AFL, and with opportunities on offer at the Saints he could benefit from placing his attention to one particular position - whether that be in midfield, defence or attack.