St Kilda's 2025 season is a year of reckoning, and not necessarily about their on-field prospects.
Despite squaring the ledger with an impressive victory against Geelong, the work has already begun planning for next year, with four players in the sights of the Saints.
"This is a massive six months for the St Kilda Football Club," journalist Jon Ralph said on Midweek Tackle.
"If they can actually land some of these players, they can transform. The way you avoid the Messiah complex, you spread the load, you get multiple players.
"They've gone very hard for at least four, but there's a very good chance on three of them.
Ralph continued to dissect a trifecta of rival players that could make their way to Moorabbin in 2026.
"Tom De Koning, if that's a $1.7 million deal," Ralph said.
"He wants to stay at Carlton. I think they'd have to lift their offer. He's telling people close to him, how do I resist that offer.
"The fascinating one is St Kilda throwing the kitchen sink at Leek Aleer. His manager, Dylan Smith, met with him today, and he knows he has to move on (from GWS).
"St Kilda, right now, is the biggest bidder. I think they're prepared to offer as much as $900,000. That's what it's going to take to land this guy.
"And then Miles Bergman is intriguing. Bayside, school mates. They're thinking this is the time. He knocked back St Kilda last time around.
"I think as a midfielder, but the official line is he hasn't decided, but he's postponed contract talks to midway through the year.
"So if you can get a couple of those players, and a really early draft pick, you start to go places and build some momentum."
North Melbourne's Luke Davies-Uniacke was the fourth target on St Kilda's hitlist, but is more likely to remain at Arden Street.
The Saints' aggressive player pursuit comes after many failed attempts to retain their stars and lure rival clubs'.
Josh Battle opted to exercise his free agency rights and head to Hawthorn, resulting in St Kilda claiming Pick 8 in last year's draft.
Essendon captain Zach Merrett was flagged by the club as a potential option but was swiftly denied while Finn Callaghan, Jordan De Goey and Jacob Weitering remained put to chase that elusive premiership.
The Saints will also be tested when it comes to emerging star Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, who, by all accounts, is receiving heavy interest from both South Australian clubs.
However, Jack Higgins (2029) and Hunter Clark (2027) have shown a case of faith in the club's direction by re-signing earlier this month, as has Mitch Owens (2029), Hugo Garcia (2027) and Angus Hastie (2027).
Coach Ross Lyon also recommitted until the end of 2027.
