MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 25: Ben McEvoy of the Saints celebrates the win with fans during the round 22 AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the Gold Coast Suns at Etihad Stadium on August 25, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
Trading in our game has been more important than ever, with players going in and out of teams, not only in the off-season, but during the season as well.
Therefore, it is pivotal for teams to get it right and identify talent and potential early in the process. This didn't seem to be the case for the Saints over the last decade or two.
Being out-of-favour and wanting more opportunities, players left the Saints in order to continue their career.
Here are the best 8 players St Kilda have traded or delisted since 2005:
Stanley made his debut in 2010, in a team that was vying for a premiership having got so close the year before. He played a total of 7 games in his first year and none of the finals games.
He finished up with a total of 58 games with the red, black and white and departed at the end of 2014.
Stanley than went to Geelong where he struggled to make their best-22. 21 games in 2016 saw him find some continuity at the Cats but he only played 13 and 15 games in seasons 2017 and 2018 respectively.
However, in 2019, Stanley has played all seven games thus far and is proving to be an integral member in the teams success so far, being top of the ladder and playing into some good form.
Former St Kilda player Jamie Cripps is one that Saints wish they kept on their list.
After two seasons with the Saints (2011/12) and a total of 16 games, Cripps moved to West Coast in an attempt to get more opportunities and return home.
Since being at the Eagles, Cripps has almost notched up 150 games, winning a premiership in 2018.
Cripps was a player the Saints needed to fight to keep as he has proven to be one of the better small forwards in the competition today, highlighted by a 38 goal turnout in season 2018.
Known as the linkman in South Australia, Tom Lynch has forged quite a career in the city of churches.
Unbeknown to most fans, Lynch was previously at the Saints for two seasons when they were reaping the rewards from the likes of Reiwoldt, Goddard, Milne and Hayes.
This meant Lynch struggled to break into the side, and after only playing six games in two years, he saw an opportunity arise at the Crows.
Since then, Lynch has created a path for third-tall forwards highlighted by his ability to run between the arcs and have good ball use going into the forward 50.
Since coming across, Lynch has played a total of 130 games and is a regular in the Crows best 22 when he's fit.
He's had a great start to season 2019 and looks to continue his good form.
In his second club, Guerra looked to secure a spot on the Saints list during the 2004/05 seasons. After having left Port Adelaide to return home, he wanted to start afresh at a new club.
However, his time at St Kilda was short-lived and was quickly moved on to the Hawks.
The penetrating left-footer was what the Hawks needed and what Alastair Clarkson ordered.
Playing on small forwards and running off the half-back, Guerra found his team as he built a career which lasted eight years.
Fortunately, Guerra was able to experience ultimate success at his third club, as he was a two-time Premiership player (2008 and 2013) and left the league on a high.
Retiring after 255 games, Guerra left his mark in the AFL.
'Big Boy' is a fan favourite amongst the AFL.
Having started out his career in 2008 with one game against Fremantle, McEvoy knew it would be hard to crack into a side with Steven King, with Michael Gardiner and Justin Koschitzke playing.
To his credit, McEvoy played most the games in the following years including the 2010 Grand Final. He played a total of 91 games for the Saints including all 22 in his last season there (2013).
Going across to Hawthorn, McEvoy was able to pick up two premierships in seasons 2014 and 2015 and proved to be a significant part of the teams success.
He is now the No.1 ruckman at the Hawks and his form thus far in season 2019 only proves why that is the case.
The silky left-footer burst onto the scene, playing 18 games in his first season at the Saints.
Known for his ball use and decision-making, Dal Santo played a pivotal role in St Kilda's press to the top.
He was rewarded with All-Australian honours in seasons 2005, 2009 and 2011 and made the squad in 2007 and 2010.
Dal Santo was a very reliable and consistent player in that he rarely missed a game from seasons 2004 to 2014 where he made the switch to Arden St.
The trade was a bit strange and left some Saints fans asking "why?"
After playing a total of 260 for the Saints, he then added 62 games to the tally as an experienced and skillful player proving he still had more to give.
Dal Santo finished his career with 322 games at the end of season 2016 in a fitting manner, being chaired off and named as a great to play the game.
Luke Ball started his career in 2003 as a high draft-pick with the Saints.
A more than consistent player in the best 22, Ball was a hard-nosed onballer who could win his own ball and had tremendous work ethic.
He was known for his grunt work around the contest with his contested possession and tackling prowess.
His work in games was rewarded with a best and fairest win in 2005 as well as an All-Australian nod.
After the devastating Grand Final loss in 2009, the Saints and Ball decided to part ways as the Pies snatched up him.
In tremendous irony, Ball was able to play against his old side the next year in the decider and he was fortunate enough to take home the cup and be presented with a premiership medal that alluded him the year before.
Ball finished out his career at Collingwood in 2014 after he struggled to make their best-22 as his body started to give in.
He wore his heart on his sleeve and played all 223 games like that as well.
Pick No.1 in 2002, Brendan Goddard lived up to the hype of being labelled as the best young talent for his age group.
Despite one season in 2007, Goddard was able to play majority, if not all games handed to him in the red, black and white, starting in 2003 where he played 18 games in his debut season.
His ability to use both sides of his body whilst using his large frame and running power to break games open meant that Goddard was a significant factor to the Saints' rise to success.
Falling short twice in Grand Finals and a few prelims, Goddard rode the pain and used it to do one better the following year. Unfortunately, he was unable to do so.
He was giving All-Australian honours in years 2009/10 but the ultimate team success was what he was fighting for.
Goddard left as a restricted free agent in 2012 to the Bombers. With plenty left to give, Goddard continued his consistency by showing his ability and in the red and black for another six seasons.
He was also given best & fairest honours in his first year (2013) and set the standard for a club that was going through a difficult time.