All eyes on Saints in final week

St Kilda are expected to be a big player in the final week of the AFL’s trade period, but their bid to lure West Coast defender Mitch Brown continues to stall.

News Limited has reported the Eagles have already rejected St Kilda’s request to include Brown in a trade for homesick St Kilda midfielder Jamie Cripps.

The Saints are keen to secure a trade for Cripps as the 20-year-old isn’t under contract and the Eagles could snap him up in the draft for free.

However Brown is contracted to West Coast so he won’t secure a move back to Melbourne unless it’s through a trade.

Brown, 23, played just eight games in 2012 as he struggled to earn selection in an impressive Eagles defensive unit led by All-Australians Darren Glass and Beau Waters.

The Saints are also reportedly showing interest in Gold Coast ruckman Tom Hickey, while 26-year-old midfielder Farren Ray could be traded to Melbourne.

After losing free agent Brendon Goddard to Essendon three weeks ago, St Kilda haven’t seen much action during the trade period.

They were reportedly interested in Gold Coast midfielder Josh Caddy, but the homesick youngster joined Geelong instead.

The Saints currently have picks 13, 25, 37, 46 and 57 in the draft.