St Kilda defender Nathan Brown will play on in 2020 after signing a one-year contract.

The 30-year-old played 16 games in 2019, while also taking on a senior leadership role.

Brown's consistency in defence was a key feature for the Saints, placing second in the league for the number of one-percenters (9.9) and spoils (8.9) per game.

List Manager James Gallagher said the club would benefit enormously from his presence both on and off the field.

“Nathan has been very patient as we work through our list changes, and we are rapt to be able to offer him a spot for next season.

“He had a consistent year as a lock-down defender, but his impact on our group goes beyond what we see on the field.

“He obviously offers premiership experience, but it’s the connection he has developed with our young players and the standards he sets in his training and preparation that makes him important to the culture we are trying to build at the club.”

Brown has played 53 games for the Saints to bring his career tally to 183 since being drafted with pick No. 10 in the 2006 AFL Draft.

Other list changes

St Kilda has officially elevated Darragh Joyce to the club’s primary list. The former Category-B Rookie signed a two-year contract extension during the 2019 season.