The Saints took a major step in breaking their premiership drought in 2020 after making the top eight for the first time in nine years while adding a finals victory against the Bulldogs.

While the club is set to gain Brad Crouch as the Crows star exercises his free agency rights, Kane Cornes believes the Saints should hold off on bringing in the Adelaide midfielder and hold out for a bigger name in 12 months time.

Speaking on AFL Trade Radio's Early Trade, Cornes named the seven players the Saints should target instead.

“There are some stars coming out of contract at the end of next year – and we’re talking the best midfielders in the game,” Cornes told AFL Trade Radio’s The Early Trade.

“I’m going to rank the players coming out of contract that the Saints would have been better served at having a real crack at in 12 months’ time as opposed to rushing into Brad Crouch.”

3. Clayton Oliver (Melbourne)

"Clayton Oliver is a great fit for St Kilda if they offered him a massive deal to leave Melbourne if things don’t go well for him."

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 22: Clayton Oliver of the Demons and David Mundy of the Dockers compete for the ball during the 2019 AFL round 14 match between the Melbourne Demons and the Fremantle Dockers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 22, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

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