St Kilda hasn't officially said it, but they are in a rebuilding phase, and have been for the past two years.

The Saints have welcomed a host of young talent in recent seasons, headed by Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, and now believe established stars are the way forward.

The interest in a Carlton ruckman has been well documented, while it is widely believed that a Giants defender is bound for Moorabbin.

But who else would improve St Kilda's list going forward?

Here are five trade and free agency targets for St Kilda to consider this year.

3Sam Flanders

Off-contract Suns midfielder Sam Flanders reportedly on radar of rival clubs
GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - MAY 06: Sam Flanders of the Suns in action during the round eight AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Melbourne Demons at Heritage Bank Stadium, on May 06, 2023, in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The Suns midfielder is contracted until the end of 2027, but as we know, contracts are as useful as the paper they're printed on, and we thought, given interest from rivals, that he'd make the list.

St Kilda has been after multiple big-name midfielders in the past few years, and has failed: Luke Davies-Uniacke, Jordan De Goey, Miles Bergman, Zach Merrett, Hugh McCluggage, and Andrew Brayshaw.

And no offence to Flanders, but his name doesn't compare in terms of AFL stardom, although he is a very handy player.

It took the 23-year-old soe time to cement his spot in the senior side, but under Damien Hardwick, the ball-winning machine has shown why he was taken with Pick 11 in the 2019 draft, ahead of Will Day, Kysaiah Pickett and Bergman.

Last year, Flanders became a bona fide star midfielder, averaging 30.9 possessions as an elite two-way runner, but in 2025, he's taken on a new role, and ultimately, a backward step.

Could the lure of more permanent midfield time at Moorabbin be enticing for the Victorian?

The squeeze at the Suns is real, and it could cost them.

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