As the NAB AFL Draft draws ever closer, SAINTS.com.au continues the countdown by reminiscing our best draft hauls in recent times.

Thinking outside the square, some wheeling and dealing during the trade period by the list management team enabled St Kilda to take three top 20 picks into the 2013 draft. 

Opting to bulk up the centre-line, the Saints selected a match-winner in Jack Billings and two strong-bodied midfielders in Luke Dunstan and Blake Acres. 

Pick 3 – Jack Billings, Oakleigh Cannons VIC

As a junior, Billings was always destined to be a high draft pick. Starring for Vic Metro as an underage 16-year-old, the classy forward/midfielder showed a high pain tolerance – averaging 24.7 disposals for Oakleigh with a knee injury and making the U/18 All-Australian team. Billings’ match-winning trait was on show in the last round of the Under-18 Championships, booting three vital goals. Injuries and a lack of participation at the AFL Combine did no harm to his draft stocks, snapped up at pick three.

Pick 18 – Luke Dunstan, Woodville-West Torrans SA

Securing pick 18 via the Ben McEvory/Hawthorn trade, St Kilda drafted a ready-made midfielder in Luke Dunstan. Rising through the football ranks, one constant that stood out was Dunstan’s leadership credentials. Captaining South Australia to a division-one title and a member of the AIS-AFL Academy leadership group, Dunstan led with both his action and words. Named SA’s most valuable player along side Collingwood’s Matt Scharenberg, the hard-nosed midfielder showed an ability to win the ball and extract with class.

Pick 19 – Blake Acres, West Perth WA

St Kilda also received Hawthorn’s compensation pick for free agent Lance Franklin as part of the McEvoy trade. Continuing to bolster the midfield depth, Acres came into this draft with limited game time after dislocating his shoulder twice throughout the year. Prior to the first shoulder injury, the strong-bodied midfielder showed his glowing potential, averaging 26.9 disposals at WAFL colts level. Similar to Billings, an interrupted draft year was no worry for Acres with St Kilda recruiters impressed by his WAFL form.

Pick 83 – Tom Curren, St Kilda VIC

Rookie elevation.