St Kilda have been linked to Hawthorn free agent Kyle Hartigan this off-season in a potential attempt to "beef up" their backline for 2023.
Hartigan is eligible to exercise his rights as a free agent in 2022, having previously been listed as a free agent in his career before joining the Hawks in 2020 from Adelaide in a trade that included a future fourth-round selection.
The 30-year-old's contract at Bunjil Bagora is coming to its conclusion this year, with Hartigan facing an uncertain future given Sam Mitchell's preference to rely on his younger stocks as the Hawks plan for the future.
Hartigan played just the three matches this season, having seen his spot in the side taken by the likes of emerging names in Denver Grainger-Barras and Jack Scrimshaw.
While his time at Waverley may be coming to an end, St Kilda have emerged as a potential suitor for the former Crow.
According toย RSN'sย Mark Stevens, the Saints are showing an interest in Hartigan, with a potential multi-year deal on offer for the Keilor product.
"He's 30 years old, hasn't got a deal (for 2023) at Hawthorn... St Kilda I believe are interested, perhaps a two-year deal, for Hartigan," Stevens told Breakfast Club.ย
"They're looking to beef up their key defensive stocks.
"He's a free agent so I'd say he'd be at another club next year. If that's the case [he] could be down at Moorabbin.
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"I think he's run his race at Hawthorn. (Sam) Mitchell has had plenty of chances to play him. So watch this space there."
The Saints have shown a need to add to their rearguard, with first-string key defender Dougal Howard at times left to carry the brunt of the load, while medium-sized backmen in Cal Wilkie and Josh Battle enjoyed career-best campaigns in 2022.
Hartigan has played 135 games at AFL level since making his debut in 2013 with Adelaide, spending nine years at West Lakes before returning to Victoria in a move to Hawthorn.
He played 19 of a possible 22 games in the brown and gold last year, but has since found opportunities at senior level hard to come by.
Hartigan did avoid Hawthorn's first wave of list cuts this off-season, with the club announcing last week that Tom Phillips, Daniel Howe, Jackson Callow and Connor Downie were not offered new deals for next season.
