As the departing Freeman has nominated the Saints as his preferred club, the Saints have indicated that future picks will make it easier for clubs in their position to complete multiple deals, such as Freeman and Carlisle.

The Saints have pick No.5 in the national draft and their second choice stands at No.24. In the event that it cannot come to terms on draft compensation - or a player - in return for Freeman and possibly Carlisle, the club is mindful that it could use a future selection.

Pick 5 is problematic for the Saints, because it is such a high selection and they will be keen to retain it, despite their trading objectives. They have yet to meet with Carlisle, who is overseas, but are committed to recruiting Freeman and have offered the former top 10 pick (2013 draft) a three year deal.

St Kilda's chief operating officer, Ameet Bains, indicated that the future picks could play a role in the club's trading this year, without specifically addressing Freeman or the possibility of Carlisle.

"The introduction of future picks gives clubs some flexibility to do more trades in a given year," Bains said.

Carlton is the other club known to be in the running for Carlisle at this stage, but the out-of-contract key position player is overseas and yet to declare where he wants to play next year.

The Saints have yet to meet with Collingwood to discuss how a trade for Freeman can be consumated, but the Magpies have not suggested that they will fight to keep the out of contract midfielder and highly rate junior, who suffered hamstring injuries and has left the club without managing a single senior game.

Collingwood might use a future pick - likely a second round choice from next year - to satisfy Greater Western Sydney in their deal for midfielder Adam Treloar, who would also cost the Pies their first round pick. Clubs can only trade picks one year in advance.