Wantaway Saint Jack Billings has become Demon ahead of the trade deadline, with St Kilda and Melbourn agreeing to terms on a trade deal.
As far back as May of this year, reports have circled that St Kilda have been willing to shop Billings, even with a further two seasons to go on the 28-year-old's contract.
However, after being shopped for the length of the trade period, St Kilda, Billings and his manager, Paul Connors of Connors Sports Management, received very few bites.
With Melbourne losing James Jordon (Sydney), James Harmes (Western Bulldogs) and Billings' former teammate Luke Dunstan (retirement) already this off-season, the Redlegs entered the race for the former first-rounder at the eleventh hour.
As reported by 7News' Mitch Cleary on Wednesday afternoon, the 155-gamer will make the move from Moorabbin ahead of the deadline, with the Demons set to land Billings for a future-third round selection.
Speaking onย Trade Radio,ย St Kilda list manager Stephen Silvagni said the club is open to moving Billings on to help him gain more opportunities at AFL level.
"It's not done, we have been in discussions with Paul Connors, we haven't spoken to Melbourne as of yet," Silvagni said.
"We're waiting and seeing what happens there. We're open (to making a deal), Jack has struggled in terms of injury. Having said that, his body did get right towards the end of the year too.
"If it's a spot for him to get more senior football opportunity then we're happy to look at that."
Given Billings remains contractually tied to Ross Lyon's side until the cessation of 2025, a deal that will reportedly net him within the vicinity of $1 million, St Kilda will be paying a portion of this figure in an effort to move the Oakleigh Chargers product from its roster.
While the shift will afford Billings a chance to breathe life into his now-stagnant career, the hybrid product will be forced to contend against each of Charlie Spargo, Lachie Hunter, Ed Langdon, Bailey Laurie, Alex Neal-Bullen, Bayley Fritsch, Tom Sparrow, Kade Chandler, Taj Woewodin, Kysaiah Pickett and new Demon Shane McAdam for a start under Simon Goodwin's watch.
Melbourne's choice to recommit to injured veteran Jake Melksham will also alter the pecking order once the 32-year-old proves fit enough to return.
Billings initially began life as a Saint a decade ago after being brought to Linton Street with the third pick of the 2013 AFL Draft.
