St Kilda has joined the race for out of contract Brisbane Lion youngster James Aish, who is weighing up approaches from a number of clubs.
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Collingwood and Carlton have also shown interest in recruiting the ex-South Australian midfielder, whom the Lions still think is likely to leave, although the club felt there was a "small chance" of retaining him.
Sources have confirmed that the Saints have made approaches to the Aish camp and made a play for the 19-year-old, who has not officially told the Lions he is leaving.
Aish's management has told the Lions that the player still hasn't informed him where he wishes to play in 2016. Brisbane has had a contract offer on the table since early this season, but with no discussions about the deal, the Lions have long expected that he would leave.
St Kilda has significant space in its salary cap, due to the influx of younger players and gradual exit of veterans, but has been reluctant to pursue high end free agents (who are typically 25 and older) until their list is futher developed. Aish, like Essendon's Jake Carlisle - another St Kilda target - fits their age profile, though it is unclear what the Saints - and indeed Collingwood and Carlton - would be willing to offer the Lions in return.
Collingwood's interest in Aish is complicated by their pursuit of Greater Western Sydney's out of contract midfielder Adam Treloar, who would cost the Pies their first draft pick, which will be inside the top eight or nine this year.
Meanwhile, Collingwood has started contract dicussions with Matthew Scharenberg, a friend and fellow SA team mate of Aish, about a new contract that would keep him in black and white next year and beyond.
Scharenberg has indicated to Collingwood that he wishes to stay with the Magpies, though the parties are yet to come to terms on a new deal. Scharenberg's management met with the Magpies this week.
Collingwood had been worried about whether Scharenberg, a highly rated pick no 6 in the 2013 national draft, might be lured home to his home state by the Crows, given the lengthy delay in contract talks. Scharenberg has promoted to play in Collingwood's team for Friday night's clash with Geelong.
Brisbane's head of high performance Brett Burton has informed the club he is leaving the Lions. Burton, who is expected to head home to SA, joins head of football Dean Warren and welfare manager Manny Lynch, in exiting the club.
