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.

โ€œThere are some stars coming out of contract at the end of next year โ€“ and weโ€™re talking the best midfielders in the game,โ€ Cornes told AFL Trade Radioโ€™s The Early Trade.

โ€œIโ€™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 monthsโ€™ time as opposed to rushing into Brad Crouch.โ€

2. Patrick Cripps (Carlton)

"Itโ€™s unlikely you are going to get Patrick Cripps but heโ€™s out of contract at the end of 2021. Who knows?"

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 27: Patrick Cripps of the Blues in action during the 2019 AFL round 19 match between the Carlton Blues and the Adelaide Crows at Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 27, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)