The Saints, who finished tenth on the ladder in season 2022, have participated in just one finals series (2020) over the course of the last 11 years, signalling a desperate need for organisation-altering talent.
St Kilda boasts star midfielder Jack Steele and emerging key forward Max King, but outside of that duo does not possess the players required to take the storied Moorabbin club to the elite level.
However, there is slated to be an abundance of talent available throughout the upcoming trade and free agency period, and the Saints would be wise to capitalise.
Keeping that in mind, we've compiled a list, in no particular order, of five targets St Kilda could consider this off-season to help them rebound next year.
It has become clear that De Goey, a restricted free agent this year, is emerging as St Kilda's top target, with the club likely to table the midfielder-forward an offer sheet this upcoming free agency period and force Collingwood into a difficult and important decision.
De Goey's chances of re-signing at Victoria Park appeared shot following the 26-year-old's mishaps during a mid-season Bali getaway, however, his impressive form in the lead-up to finals may have swayed the mindset of Magpies officials once again.
Either way, St Kilda would be negligent in their duties not to at least attempt to lure De Goey to Moorabbin, as his elite talent in multiple areas of the game would immediately improve the Saints' 2023 season outlook.
The Oakleigh Chargers product, already a known big-game goalkicker, has had a career-best year winning the ball, averaging an unprecedented 21.1 disposals and five clearances per contest in 2022, demonstrating the exact game-changing ability St Kilda is currently sorely lacking.
With a lot of uncertainty still in the air surrounding De Goey's immediate future, be sure to watch this space when the off-season begins.
After the recent retirement of stalwart Paddy Ryder and the long-term injury to first-year forward-ruck Jack Hayes, the Saints have a hole at second ruck behind emerging star Rowan Marshall.
Goldstein, whose time at Arden Street remains uncertain, is an unrestricted free agent this year, meaning the Saints wouldn't have to cough up anything in a trade if they chose to pursue the 295-gamer's services.
As well as the obvious veteran leadership he provides, Goldstein is also a very able key forward when he isn't roaming the middle of the field, henceforth potentially offering Brett Ratten another tasty forward-50 option alongside Max King and Tim Membrey.
However, with 'Goldy' leaving the door wide open to concluding his career a Shinboner, the veteran may need some convincing if the Saints decide to go down the Goldstein route.
Following the retirement of oft-injured midfielder Dan Hannebery and the increasing ages of veterans Sebastian Ross and Brad Crouch, the Saints might be tempted to look for a long-term midfielder to put next to Steele, Jade Gresham and youngsters Marcus Windhager and Mitch Owens.
However, with the out-of-contract Bruhn carrying a non-free-agent status, a trade would have to be agreed to by both sides.
Further, while reports have suggested Bruhn wants to get back to his home state of Victoria by the end of this year's exchange period, Alastair Clarkson's Kangaroos might beat the Saints to the prize even if Ratten's men do decide to pursue the 20-year-old.
Regardless, the Geelong Falcons product has a bright future in the league after putting the finishing touches on a breakout 2022 campaign, throughout which he averaged almost 12 disposals, 3.5 tackles and 2.1 clearances per game in the orange and charcoal.
The 27-year-old Crouch is likely entering the twilight years of his AFL career, after being overlooked numerous times in season 2022 by Crows senior coach Matthew Nicks.
However, across the 11 contests in which Crouch did feature for Adelaide this year, he averaged a more-than-modest 27.4 possessions, 3.5 marks, 4 tackles and 4.4 clearances.
While a potential St Kilda addition of Crouch certainly wouldn't be a long-term investment, the connection is certainly evident with brother Brad currently a part of the Saints' midfield core.
Crouch is contracted at West Lakes until the end of next season, but the frustrations of playing an abundance of SANFL football in 2022 may sway the North Ballarat Rebels product to pursue a move elsewhere during this year's trade period.
Stocker was recently informed by the Blues that he wouldn't be receiving a new contract, meaning he currently holds a delisted free agent status and can be acquired at zero trade cost by any team looking to take a flier on the Sandringham Dragons product.
The Saints, in need of talent wherever possible, might consider acquiring the services of the opportunity-starved Stocker, who, at times throughout his three-year Carlton career, showed flashes of being a long-term player in the league.
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While the 22-year-old's career averages of 13.3 disposals, 2.9 marks, 2.1 tackles and 3.1 rebound-50s don't necessarily jump off the page, a healthy and motivated Stocker could certainly provide a needy club, such as the Saints, with some valuable dash off the half-back flank.