With the 2016 National Draft drawing closer by the day, saints.com.au has taken the opportunity to reflect on the history behind each pick St Kilda holds this Friday night.

St Kilda will enter the annual cattle call in Sydney with three picks at their disposal – No. 23, No. 36 and No. 60 – aiming to further enhance a list that narrowly missed out on a return to September in 2016.

Sitting in the higher end of the second round, pick No. 23 has been used to acquire a couple of champion players since the draft's inception in 1986.

Two of the most notable players chosen with that pick are dual Essendon premiership star, Michael Long, and 300-game North Melbourne key forward, Drew Petrie.

After being selected in 1988, Long played 190 games for the Bombers where he also won the North Smith Medal following his dazzling performance in the 1993 premiership, as well as earning two All-Australian selections.

Two icons of the game: Nicky Winmar and Michael Long playing against each other in 1995.

Petrie, who drew the curtains on his distinguished career at the end of the season, holds the games record for players chosen at pick No. 23, having stopped the clock at 316 appearances. The Kangaroos’ five-time leading goal kicker ended his career with 428 goals, as well as an All-Australian guernsey from 2011.

Geelong premiership defender, Tom Lonergan, is one of the most decorated players to be taken at this pick, with the 32-year-old overcoming a significant obstacle to forge an exceptional career at the highest level.

After a massive collision in a game against Melbourne in 2006, Lonergan was forced to have his right kidney removed, in a procedure where his entire blood supply was replaced three times and he lost 17 kg in the process. He returned in 2008 and has since chalked up 186 games, including the 2011 decider.

Essendon midfielder David Zaharakis is another successful selection at pick No. 23, with the 26-year-old playing 147 games in red and black since being drafted in 2008, winning the best and fairest in 2011.

Recently acquired Saint Koby Stevens (2008), Geelong’s Cam Guthrie (2010) and Adelaide’s Matt Crouch (2013) are three young midfielders selected at No. 23 in the last decade, who all appear to have a long-term future in the game.

In Sydney on Friday night, St Kilda List Manager, Tony Elshaug, will introduce another player into the game at selection No. 23. Could he play an important role in the Saints' pursuit of finals football and an elusive second flag?