MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 12: Paul Hunter of the Saints competes for the ball with Paddy Ryder of the Saints during a St Kilda Saints AFL training session at Moorabin on February 12, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Martin Keep/Getty Images)

St Kilda ruckman Paul Hunter has not been offered a new contract at the Saints for next season.

Hunter ventured to St Kilda via the Supplementary Selection Period in 2021, joining the club from SANFL club South Adelaide.

The 28-year-old played seven games this year, making his AFL debut against Greater Western Sydney in Round 1.

Saints list manager James Gallagher thanks Hunter for his service to the club on Friday.

“Paul’s AFL journey has been non-traditional to say the least, but his resilience and team-first attitude has never wavered,”

“Paul’s willingness to once again move interstate to continue his football career is a credit to him. Though his time at St Kilda has been relatively short, Paul performed admirably in the seven games he played in the red, white and black, and seeing him play at AFL level was just rewards for someone who threw himself whole-heartedly into his time as a Saint.

“We wish Paul all the best for this next chapter his life.”

Hunter was first drafted into the AFL system with the Crows in 2016, remaining at West Lakes for a further three years before departing after not making an appearance for their senior side.