St Kilda and the three other clubs affected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s ruling on the 34 past and present Essendon players has had their application for a replacement player knocked back by the AFL.

The Saints, along with Port Adelaide, Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs will not be able to replace their suspended player, or two players in the Powers case, with the AFL explaining that the circumstances did not call for special treatment, beyond the rookie elevation ruling that was already determined in January.

As part of the CAS sanctions last month, St Kilda lost off-season recruit Jake Carlisle for the entire 2016 season, whilst Melbourne also lost a signing from last October’s trade period in Jake Melksam, the Power lost Paddy Ryder and Angus Monfries and the Bulldogs will be without Stewart Crameri this year.

St Kilda chief operating officer and legal counsel Ameet Bains said the Saints accepted the AFL’s ruling and look forward to rewarding one of the clubs five rookies with a spot on the primary list for the 2016 season.

“We respect the AFL’s decision and understand the delicacy of the situation. We are in a positive position where we have each of our rookies legitimately vying for a senior spot,” Bains told saints.com.au on Friday.

“To be able to reward one of them for their pre-season form ahead of the home and away season is pleasing.”

AFL general counsel Andrew Dillon defended the leagues decision to allow Essendon the opportunity to add ten top-up players to their list, whilst at the same time denying the other affected parties the same liberty.

“An exception has been made for Essendon only because of the sheer number of suspended players it has on its list, and on the basis that they must be able to field a side that can compete at a basic level each week,” Dillon explained.

“If Essendon were not granted list concessions, there may be legitimate health and safety concerns for young and inexperienced players forced to play senior football over a 22-week season.”

The Saints have five rookie-listed players eligible to replace Carlisle on the senior list in the form of: ruckman Jason Holmes, midfielder’s Josh Saunders and Nick O’Kearney, key defender Nick Coughlan and project forward Brenton Payne.

Both Saunders and Holmes have experience at senior level, whilst under-18 All Australian O’Kearney has impressed with his work on the training track so far this pre-season.

Alan Richardson has previously indicated the club will wait until the completion of the NAB Challenge series before making a final decision on who will be elevated to the senior list.

The Saints will begin their pre-season campaign against North Melbourne in Wangaratta on Saturday 20 February.