There was a stage early in the season it looked as though St Kilda's trade with Hawthorn last year could yield the Saints a pick right at the pointy end of the first round. True to form though, the Alastair Clarkson-coached Hawks didn't stay down for long, so St Kilda's draft hand – while very good – isn't as tantalising as it loomed. The Saints toyed with the idea of trading one of their early picks but there wasn't a compelling enough player available, so they have a bit of power here. It's no secret that the Saints could do with a bit more class through the midfield to complement their serviceable blue-collar core. Nick Coffield has been firming to be taken with one of those picks. Primarily a rebounding defender, he has pushed into the midfield too, where his evasiveness and good ball use would likely suit the Saints no end. There's a school of thought that St Kilda will roll the dice at pick eight on Aiden Bonar, who shapes as the most exciting utility in the draft, having come off two knee reconstructions. He played his junior football at Seaford, so at least before the Saints' move back to Moorabbin he will be very much at home. Hunter Clark is another they've been linked to, while the doubts about Jaidyn Stephenson could leave him within St Kilda's grasp. Axed trio Sam Collins (Fremantle), Tom Lamb (West Coast) and Will Fordham (North Melbourne) were all given permission to train with the Saints with a view to being taken as rookies. If Lamb joins the Saints he will follow in the footsteps of his grandfather Ian Cooper, who was a member of the club's 1966 premiership side.