St Kilda will look to bolster its playing depth through other means, with GWS ruling out the possibility of an Adam Tomlinson trade.

Speaking to Kane Cornes and Matthew Lloyd on Trade Radio this morning, Chief Operating Officer Ameet Bains addressed the club's interest in Tomlinson

"We have had discussions as late as yesterday, but I don't think anything will happen," Bains said.

"The reality of that is that Adam has wanted to come home. There appeared to be an opening there for a period where the Giants were, I suppose, open to thinking about that.

"As the season progressed, the finals played out the way they have and some of the players they've already lost, they made it clear that they don't want to be losing any more players.”

Bains also discussed the club’s forensic search for added speed and class through the midfield, a focus that will now almost certainly turn to the AFL Draft on November 24.

“Our aim has been to bring in an elite midfielder with a lot of class and polish,” Bains said.

“Josh Kelly was the obvious one that we pursued.”

“That type of player hasn’t changed clubs during this period, there have been a whole range of other players, and as a result of that we haven’t wanted to do anything rash.

“It’s a balancing act, your fans get restless that on the surface you haven’t done anything, but at the same time our fans would be flat if we just went out and spent money and picks on guys that weren’t the absolute need that we feel would elevate us to the next level.

“What that means is that we have picks seven and eight in the draft and there are a range of players in that top group that fit our needs.

“We’re really comfortable and excited about going to the draft with those picks unless something dramatic happens in the next couple of days.”

Bains also discussed the need to boost St Kilda’s defensive stocks, with the substantial portion of the work down back falling on first year Saints Jake Carlisle and Nathan Brown.

“We look at our list and Jake Carlisle and Nathan Brown were both terrific for us last year (the 2017 season),” Bains said.

“Both played 22 games but it’s hard to expect that year on year. Beneath them we still have Hugh Goddard, who we still have high hopes for but after two years ruined by leg injuries, we are a bit thin in that area.”

Trade Period concludes at 2pm on Thursday 19 October.