St Kilda has been urged to strongly consider a "short-term fix" in the form of train-on talent Harry Boyd, who is pursuing an AFL chance at Moorabbin via the Supplemental Selection Period.
Boyd has been one of the most dominant players in the SANFL over the past few seasons, helping Norwood to the 2022 premiership - including best-afield honours in the grand final win - while claiming the Magarey Medal this year.
His 2024 campaign was a career-best, taking out the SANFL's top gong as well as being recognised as the league's best player by the coaches, having a selection in the Team of the Year and taking out his second best and fairest in three seasons.
The 198cm ruckman averaged 20.1 disposals, 10.0 clearances, and 41.8 hitouts per game while amassing 311 more hitouts than any other player in the SANFL this year.
His ability to move across the field and have an impact outside of stoppages are a key part of Boyd's game, with the formidable mature-aged talent well and truly on the radar of AFL clubs.
The Saints have added Boyd to their pre-season program as they weigh up filling their final list spot for 2025, with the retirement of veteran midfielder Brad Crouch creating a vacancy that Boyd could fill.
The 26-year-old could slot into a secondary ruck role under star Saint Rowan Marshall or free up the Saints tall to spend more time forward, while Boyd could even be positioned behind the ball.
As the Saints weigh up a decision on Boyd through the SSP, the former Werribee VFL player has been labelled as a viable quick fix for the club to consider.
"He'd be a guy who can come in and play for the next two-three years and be your second ruckman, or even a key defender," AFL talent ambassador Kevin Sheehan toldย Unpluggered.ย
"He's not quite 200cm but he's had an outstanding couple of years. A best and fairest winner on a couple of occasions at senior level.
"He's originally from around Shepparton and played for the Murray Bushrangers and then has become a star over in Adelaide. Played well in the State Game and then won the Magarey Medal.
"Might be a short-term fix. You get someone with a mature body who's able to play for you straight away if they get him in for the summer. I think (the SSP offers) good flexibility for clubs to look at that.
"The gap is there (for the Saints) if they want to pop someone in, and they've got a couple of months to assess it."
The Saints have found success with the SSP in recent years, having recruited Mason Wood ahead of the 2021 season and currently listed pair Liam Stocker and Anthony Caminiti two years later.
Woodville-West Torrens champion Jack Hayes had an immediate impact for St Kilda in 2022 as a pre-season recruit, only for injuries to place a significant strain on his time in the top flight.
Hayes, much like Boyd, was one of the premier key position players out of the SANFL, and effortlessly made his mark on the AFL with a three-goal debut against Collingwood. Hayes polled a Brownlow vote for that performance and doubled his tally this year with a vote from St Kilda's Round 8 win over North Melbourne.
Hayes was delisted by the Saints at the cessation of his third season with the club after battling knee and foot setbacks, tallying eight career AFL matches.
The 2024-2025 Supplemental Selection Period runs until February 21.
