Trade period is always an exciting time to be a footy fan, with fresh faces and new draft picks giving plenty of reason to look forward to another campaign.
The Saints have been involved in a number of blockbuster trades over the years, leading to some of the most iconic names in the club's history.
Today we take a look back at the biggest St Kilda trades across the history of the club and the names that defined them.
FRASER GEHRIG
Saints receive: Fraser Gehrig
Eagles receive: David Sierakowski, pick No. 18Â
The G-Train.
It's easy to see why Fraser Gehrig became one of the most popular figures in Saints history, with his flowing mullet, massive frame and potency in front of goals making him one of the best players to have ever pulled on the red, white and black.
Joining the Saints at the end of the 2000 season, Gehrig had already become a force in the AFL, with an All-Australian and club leading goal-kicker award at the Eagles in his trophy cabinet.
Gehrig was initially thrown down back at St Kilda and showed his talent down there as well, finishing second in the Trevor Barker Award in his first season.
He then returned to familiar surroundings up forward, and cemented himself as one of the best goal-kickers the game has ever seen.
He lead the Saints' goalkicking on five occasions, with two of those landing him the Coleman Medal, and kicked the coveted 100 goals in a season in 2004.
Gehrig retired (twice) a Saint and finished with 549 goals from 260 games across his career.
JACK HIGGINS
Saints receive: Jack Higgins, pick No. 21, 2021 fourth-round pick
Tigers receive: Pick No. 17, 2021 second-round pick
A boyhood Saints fan, you'd be hard pressed to find someone who loves the club more than Jack Higgins.
Initially drafted to the Tigers in 2017, Higgins announced himself by winning the Goal of the Year in his rookie season, before seeking a trade to the Saints at the end of the 2020 season.
Higgins' passion was immediately felt by the Saints faithful, endearing himself to the fans with his incredible energy and knack for finding himself in the right place at the right time.
Not just a spark plug, Higgins has lead the Saints' goalkicking on three separate occasions from 2023-2025, including a career-best 46 goals in 2025.
Still just 27 years old, Higgins is far from done at Moorabbin and will look to continue his trajectory as one of the best Saints' small forwards of his generation.
MICHAEL GARDINER
Saints receive: Michael Gardiner, pick No. 59
Eagles receive: Pick No. 43
"GARDINER. RISES LIKE A COLOSSUS."
A name synonymous with one of the most iconic moments in St Kilda history, Michael Gardiner joined the Saints from West Coast after the 2006 season and cemented himself in folklore.
Despite his first two seasons being hampered by injury, Gardiner's injection into the side full-time in 2009 saw him return to his All-Australian form that was seen at the Eagles, partnering with Steven King to form a formidable pairing that helped the Saints to a minor premiership.
In that season was Gardiner's crowning moment, a towering mark late in the "Battle of the Unbeaten" against the Cats that helped the Saints to victory in one of the greatest matches in V/AFL history.
While Gardiner's legacy was short, it was a sweet time in one of St Kilda's most successful periods.
BRADLEY HILL
Saints receive: Bradley Hill, 2020 third-round pick
Dockers receive: Blake Acres, pick 10, pick 58, 2020 second-round pick, 2020 fourth-round pick
Bradley Hill's reputation as an out and out Saints legend goes beyond the footy field.
Joining St Kilda as his third club in 2019, Hill arrived at Moorabbin with a jam-packed resume: three flags, a best and fairest and 149 games across Hawthorn and Fremantle.
Since donning the red, white and black, his reputation as one of the great First Nations leaders this game has ever seen only continued to grow, ushering in a generation of talent while performing on the field week in and week out.
In 2026 Hill had a near career-best season, averaging 27.4 disposals and bringing up his 300th AFL game, becoming just the ninth First Nations player to do so.
"Hilly" will go around once again in 2027, and if this past season is anything to go by, there could be plenty more to come.
AARON HAMILL
Saints receive: Aaron Hamill
Blues receive: Sam Cranage, pick 4
The 2000 Trade Period was a busy one for the Saints, with Aaron Hamill one of three big-name signings alongside the G-Train.
St Kilda sent their lucrative No. 4 pick and Sam Cranage to Princes Park, while the then-23-year-old Hamill traded in the navy blue for the red, white and black.
The trade went wholly in the Saints’ favour, with the courageous Saint booting 125 goals from 98 games to become a much-revered figure of the club.
Hamill skippered St Kilda in 2003 and was renowned as one of the toughest players to ever don the famous tri-colours.
SEAN DEMPSTER AND ADAM SCHNEIDER
Saints receive: Adam Schneider, Sean Dempster
Swans receive: Pick 26
In a nutshell, this was an absolute steal.
With Sydney needing to relieve some salary cap space following back-to-back Grand Finals, premiership Swans Adam Schneider and Sean Dempster were sent packing in exchange for pick No. 26.
While September glory narrowly eluded both players at their new club, the duo went on to become integral members of St Kilda's line-up for years.
Dempster was resolute down back across his 158 games, with his consistency seeing him earn All Australian selection and four podium finishes at the Trevor Barker Award.
Schneider starred as part of the Saints’ small-forward fleet, kicking 160 goals from 130 in what was a destructive partnership with fellow star Stephen Milne.
JACK STEELE
Saints receive: Jack Steele
Giants receive: 2017 second-round pick
The Man of Steele.
Sainters didn't come much better than Jack Steele in the early 2020's, with the midfield bull taking his game to new heights after crossing over from the Giants at the end of the 2016 season.
Looking for more opportunity in the middle of the ground, Steele was initially deployed as a tagger before becoming a star in his own right.
A damaging tackler and hard-nosed ball-winner, Steele was always the first with hands to the ball and distributing to those around him.
Steele claimed All-Australian and Trevor Barker Award honours in 2020 and 2021, with the latter year his first as captain of the side, a position he held all the way until his departure in 2025.
Steele was traded to the Demons after the 2025 season after an incredible nine years of service in the red, white and black, and proved to be one of the best trade steals in St Kilda history.
