Future of Freeman in balance at St Kilda

ST KILDA faces difficult list decisions on injury-prone Nathan Freeman and ruckman Billy Longer as it overhauls its football program.

The Saints are set for an aggressive period of change under football boss Simon Lethlean as he continues to review the club’s processes.

Freeman is uncontracted and nearing the end of his fifth season in football, injuries robbing him of his chance to make his AFL debut. He will play for Sandringham against Geelong on Sunday and would have to play off a five-day break if he was to debut against Richmond next Friday.

If the 23-year-old could finally showcase his athletic talents in the last six weeks of the year it would help the Saints build a case to recontract him.

They will have to weigh his negatives – a horrific injury toll, repeat hamstring issues – with the outside speed they desperately need in their midfield. Taken at pick 10 in a modest 2013 national draft, he left Collingwood after two seasons to sign a three-year deal in 2015.

One option might be to rookie-list Freeman to create primary list room in an excellent 2018 draft, aware rookies can play from Round 1.

Ed Phillips, considered unlucky to be dropped in Round 12, was back in last night’s team and will secure a new contract.

Unless the Saints suffer a series of disastrous losses, coach Alan Richardson is expected to be retained.

St Kilda has no clear No.1 ruckman, with Tom Hickey back in the side last night in the fifth change to their ruck stocks this season.