St Kilda's "aggressive" and "essential" 2025 trade and free agency moves were always part of the plan.
The Saints were the second-oldest club in the competition in 2021, behind the ever-old Geelong, and a change was needed after failing to make the finals.
History would suggest that to turn over a list takes four years of draft hauls, as well as solid trade and free agency moves.
And that's the path the Saints set out to trek.
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Mitch Owens, Marcus Windhager, Mattaes Phillipou, Issac Keeler, Darcy Wilson, Lance Collard, Hugo Garcia, Tobie Travaglia, Alix Tauru and Hugh Boxshall.
The foundation has been laid.
The Saints locked away key signings Wanganeen-Milera, Windhager, Phillipou and Garcia. Wilson is the only one not signed beyond 2026.
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Now comes the established talent.
"We've been relatively active in the recruiting space this off-season," St Kilda president Andrew Bassat said at the 2025 Trevor Barker Awards night.
"De Koning, Silvagni, Ryan, Aleer have all chosen to join us. It's exciting and validating that they've all bought into our vision for future success.
"Our strategy is based on the evidence of history, which suggests that four years of drafting gives you a solid base, but almost always needs to be topped up by trading and free agency.
"We not only feel that now is the right time to go down this path, we feel it's essential."
Gold Coast's Sam Flanders is also a player of interest.
But the current AFL landscape makes it difficult for middle-rung clubs and struggling sides to rise up the ladder in a meaningful way.
Since the turn of the century, 16 premierships have been won between Brisbane (five), Geelong (five), Hawthorn (four) and Collingwood (two), which were the final four of the 2025 season.
The Lions, fresh off claiming back-to-back flags, will land Sam Draper and Oscar Allen as free agents, while welcoming high-end draft prospect Dan Annable.
Hawthorn is deep into its ideal acquisition, Zach Merrett, and has been mentioned around the competition for players like Harley Reid, Zak Butters and Christian Petracca.
The Cats are also looking into Charlie Curnow and Rowan Marshall, while James Worpel is expected to join the club as a free agent.
"The competition we are now in is where the strong get stronger, and you can't retain existing talent, let alone attract new, if people don't believe you're heading towards contention.
"Recruiting aggressively as we have no doubt involves a degree of risk, which many have pointed out.
"But this risk has been taken thoughtfully, not recklessly. There is no risk-free way to a flag, and indeed, doing nothing, is the greatest risk of all.
"There's no doubt, our being more vocal and aggressive in trade, has put a target on our backs. And there's a big queue of people lining up to take cracks at us if we fail.
"And that's fine, because we're not here to make friends."
The Saints have been lauded for their combative and stirring off-field moves, despite the reported figures attached to some of the names.
But it is a necessity to become "relevant" again, and contend with the same group of clubs that've dominated recent history.
