St Kilda has finalised its 2016 list with two new players acquired through the NAB AFL Rookie Draft.

Midfielder Nick O’Kearney (pick five overall) and key defender Nick Coughlan (pick 23) were taken with the club’s first two selections at the draft, while the Saints re-drafted midfielder Josh Saunders with their third and final selection (40 overall).

St Kilda Recruiting and List Manager Tony Elshaug said the three players were a great addition to St Kilda’s other new draftees Jade Gresham, Brandon White and Bailey Rice who were selected in the NAB AFL Draft on Tuesday night.

RELATED: Recap St Kilda's haul the 2015 NAB AFL Draft

Eighteen-year-old O’Kearney stands at 181cm and weighs 70kg and was selected after an impressive season in the TAC Cup with the Calder Cannons, as well as various representative teams.

“We are really pleased to pick Nick with our first pick. He is a boy who has performed very well at all levels over two or three years now and really deserves the opportunity,” Elshaug said.

“He played as an inside mid for Calder Cannons, was an All-Australian and is a really good kid who works hard and is a professional already. We couldn’t be more pleased.”

Click here to read more about Nick O'Kearney and watch his highlights

Coughlan comes to the Saints having already played open-age football in seven games for the Footscray VFL team.

The 19-year-old, 193cm key defender impressed the Saints with his resilience through some setbacks in the past couple of years.

“He has had to work really hard to get to this point. He is a 19-year-old who played at the Murray Bushrangers this year,” Elshaug said.

“He comes from Albury and had quite a few injuries as a 17-year-old. He’s overcome those significant hurdles and fought back to have a good year this year. He deserves an opportunity as well.

“He plays as a defender, can play forward, takes a very good mark and is a very mature kid who has done well for himself.”

Click here to read more about Nick Coughlan and watch his highlights

Saunders has played 22 games in three seasons since he was drafted with pick 43 at the 2012 NAB AFL Draft and Elshaug said the club had faith in him, despite moving to the rookie list.

“We are really pleased to go with Josh again and give him every opportunity. He has come back to training in good shape and he has trained the house down,” Elshaug said.

Click here to read more about Josh Saunders and watch his highlights

“It is a real opportunity for him to drive forward.”