St Kilda is finally standing for something.
The Saints have been starved of finals success for the better part of 15 years, and their place within the AFL's circle of mediocrity only condemns them to sporadic September action.
However, the narrative is changing, as this proud club is prepared to push its chips into the centre of the table.
Teams around the competition have envied the likes of Geelong, Sydney, Hawthorn and Collingwood for their uncanny ability to lure big-name players into their headquarters.
Admittedly, their pitches, compared to St Kilda, would be significantly more attractive. That is, perhaps, until now.
The "Salary Saints" have been accumulating a war chest over the years, following failed attempts to sign star players, coupled with the lack of future stars to justify the need to hand out larger deals.
That's why Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera's $2 million price tag as the greatest deal in AFL history isn't as shocking as the figure suggests.
But it doesn't stop there. Internally, the Saints have upped their offer to Marcus Windhager, who is a close friend of Wanganeen-Milera and Mitch Owens.
Externally, it appears as though the Saints are following the old Cats recruiting game plan, which is to have "one's finger in many pies".
St Kilda has registered interest in six players from around the competition, including Carlton's Tom De Koning, who will join them as a free agent in October.
De Koning's teammate, Jack Silvagni, has also told the Blues he will be exercising his free agency rights. Collingwood, the Western Bulldogs and Essendon were early favourites for his services, but the Saints, who are believed to have offered a five-year deal worth $4 million, may come spoil the party.
Now, that's just at Carlton.
Expansion clubs Gold Coast and GWS have also been targeted amid St Kilda's 2025 raid, with Sam Flanders and Leek Aleer.
The latter is out of contract, and despite the Giants' best efforts to retain him, Aleer looks poised to travel to Moorabbin.
The former first-rounder has been starved of senior opportunities due to the defensive weapons at Adam Kingsley's disposal, but will relish playing alongside All-Australian defenders Callum Wilkie and Jack Sinclair.
As for Flanders, who has been shifted to a half-forward role, he presents as a handy pick-up if the Saints can secure a deal. He previously dominated across half back, but the acquisition of Daniel Rioli and John Noble pushed him further down the pecking order.
They will have their work cut out for them, given the 24-year-old is contracted for another two years, as well as prying him out of Damien Hardwick's hands, who admitted he has a "real soft spot" for him.
But as the great Michael Jordan said, you miss 100 per cent of the shots you don't take.
That then leads into the interest in Hawthorn's Cam Mackenzie and West Coast's Liam Ryan.
Mackenzie, like Ryan, is locked away for next year and is wanted by the Hawks.
But there's a story within a story for the former Pick 7.
Mackenzie was a member of St Kilda's NGA program in the lead-up to his draft, but was snared by the brown and gold following the change in draft concessions.
The AFL altered the bidding system, which allowed club-linked players, such as the on-baller, to be selected within the top 40 picks.
The Saints took Mattaes Phillipou three picks later (Pick 10), but could've had the pair, which would've accelerated their rebuild.
It is, however, understood that St Kilda is firm on a reunion.
The powers that be in Moorabbin have clearly identified that they have enough young talent emerging as exciting prospects, such as Tobie Travaglia, Alix Tauru, Darcy Wilson, Hugo Garcia, Phillipou, Owens, Windhager, and Wanganeen-Milera, all of whom joined the club in the past four years.
Now it's time for ready-made talent.
