A trade exodus from St Kilda at the end of the season is not going to happen, according to a prominent journalist, with Callum Wilkie likely to be the next Saints captain.
An initial story from South Australian reporter Michelangelo Rucci suggested Wilkie, Rowan Marshall, Jack Steele and Marcus Windhager would all look to leave the Saints for 2026.
However, Herald Sun scribe Jon Ralph denied that Wilkie wants out of St Kilda, suggesting the All-Australian defender was 'bemused' about some of the Saints' reported list management plays.
St Kilda are reportedly chasing inexperienced GWS defender Leek Aleer on $750,000-a-season, which is similar money to what Wilkie is on, while the club is also keen to acquire Carlton ruckman Tom De Koning on a reported $1.7 million-a-year.
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"Callum Wilkie has two years left on his deal and is clearly going nowhere," Ralph wrote in the Herald Sun.
"He is a spectacular player and very likely the next captain at St Kilda as soon as next year.
"How would he feel about De Koning coming in on double his salary?
"Someone with knowledge of his opinions this week suggested “bemused” would be the right way to categorise his feelings."
The Saints also want to retain Marshall and play him alongside De Koning, but could be tempted to trade their ruckman to Geelong if they offer a first-round pick.
"St Kilda wants to keep Marshall but has clearly war-roomed a scenario where TDK arrives and Marshall demands a trade," Ralph said.
"And there is a world where they get free agent De Koning in and secure a Cats first-rounder for Marshall to get back into the draft.
"It would be the Saints version of ‘pick purchasing’ – paying an extra $700,000-$800,000 a year for a ruckman but potentially securing a first-round pick.
"And trading a soon-to-be 30-year-old for a player just turned 26."
Ralph also explained St Kilda were considering if Steele - who played his 200th game on the weekend - was tradeable, while they are keen to re-sign Windhager, who would need to be traded for by other AFL clubs despite his out-of-contract status.