Woodville-West Torrens star Jack Hayes is set to train with St Kilda over the summer in hope of landing an AFL list spot.
The 24-year-old has enjoyed a stellar season with the Eagles in 2021, claiming best afield honours in his side's SANFL grand final victory over Glenelg in October after recording 26 possessions, seven clearances, 12 hit-outs, nine marks and a goal.
Hayes also landed a podium finish in the Magarey Medal standings and was understood to have had interest from AFL clubs throughout the year ahead of the Mid-Season Rookie Draft last June.
The impressive campaign has now seen Hayes rewarded with a chance to land on an AFL list, with the Eagles star now set to link up with the Saints at Moorabbin over the pre-season, as revealed by Code Sports' Daniel Cherny.
The Saints currently hold two list spots ahead of the Pre-Season Supplemental Selection Period, with Hayes the only known prospect set to train under Brett Ratten in the coming weeks.
Should Hayes gain a list spot with the Saints for 2022, he will join Woodville-West teammate Tyson Stengle in moving to the national competition.
Former AFL players Riley Knight, Kobe Mutch, Jesse Lonergan, Clay Cameron and Menzel brothers Daniel and Troy all played key roles in delivering the Eagles' second successive SANFL premiership this year.
Saints list manager James Gallagher and state recruiting manager Chris Toce have plucked a number of Saints stalwarts from South Australia in recent years, with the likes of Callum Wilkie, Tom Highmore and Cooper Sharman among those to have made the move east.
Delisted ruckman Paul Hunter had also switched SA for St Kilda, having joined the club via the SSP earlier this year, while draftee Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera was also selected by the Saints in the first round of last month's National Draft.
The SSP will open on January 10 and closes on March 9, with clubs able to keep list spots open ahead of the 2022 Mid-Season Rookie Draft on June 1.