GOING into the 2015/16 NAB AFL Rookie draft, the Saints had left the door ajar to rookie-listing veteran Farren Ray.
Ray had been delisted in October with the club publicly stating it would consider drafting him as a mature-aged rookie.
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But the durable wingman found a new football home on Thursday with North Melbourne selecting him with its first pick (15 overall) at the Rookie Draft.
The 29-year-old played 130 games for the Saints, including three Grand Finals since crossing over from the Western Bulldogs where he played 75 games.
Elshaug said Ray had been a tremendous servant of the Saints and that the entire club wished him well in the next chapter of his football career.
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“We love Farren. North Melbourne have chosen him which to his credit, shows they have recognised that he has a good amount of football left in him,” he said.
“He is a really good person, he has been a very good leader at this club, played in three grand finals and made a significant impact on the club.
“He has shown the young boys the right way to go about things and we wish Farren all the best for the future and hope there are many more years to come.”
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