Saints land Hannebery

ST KILDA effectively turned fringe ruckman Tom Hickey into Sydney premiership star Dan Hannebery yesterday, as the club landed two of its key trade targets.

The Saints secured Hannebery and pick No.28 in next month’s draft in exchange for pick No.39 and their secondround selection next year.

They had already secured pick No.39 from West Coast for Hickey, meaning the two second-round selections swapped yesterday effectively cancel each other out.

“Hannebery is a respected leader and someone with a lot of finals experience, which will be invaluable for our young group on and off the field,” Saints football manager Simon Lethlean said.

“He will help the likes of Jack Steven, Seb Ross and Jack Steele enormously, but we’re also excited about what he can teach Jade Gresham and Hunter Clark.”

The Saints also traded pick No.65 for Melbourne speedster Dean Kent.

Hannebery turns 28 before next season and has appeared banged-up since the 2016 grand final. But the

three- time All-Australian last month said he was “feeling great” and the Saints have signed him on a five-year contract.

Hannebery’s departure frees up valuable salary cap space for the Swans, where the star was contracted until 2021 on about $800,000 a season. Hickey’s departure hurts St Kilda’s ruck stocks although the club can still re-sign Billy Longer and Lewis Pierce.