HAWTHORN assistant Brett Ratten has edged closer to a move to St Kilda, meeting key Saints officials just days out from the clash between the two sides on Saturday night.

Ratten met with Saints coach Alan Richardson and football boss Simon Lethlean on Wednesday as he explores his future for 2019.

Just three days after that meeting, Ratten will be responsible for a midfield led by Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O'Meara in cementing a top-four berth for the Hawks.

A Ratten move to Moorabbin would reunite him with Richardson, their roles reversing from their time spent working together at Carlton.

Richardson was Ratten's senior assistant in 2011-12 before he moved to Port Adelaide under Ken Hinkley when Ratten was sacked.

Ratten then moved the other way, signing with Hawthorn before going on to win three premierships alongside Alastair Clarkson.

After six years at Waverley Park, Ratten is set to move on at season's end.

Vacancies have emerged at St Kilda with Simon McPhee (senior midfield assistant), Rohan Welsh (senior forward assistant) and Lindsay Gilbee (defensive assistant) told they won't be required in 2019.

Lethlean told Melbourne radio station 3AW earlier this month the club would stick by Richardson.

"We're going to support him, not look to blame him, and get the best people around him," Lethlean said.

"My view and the club's view is that 'Richo' is taking us forward and in order for him to take us forward, we have to make him the best coach he can be.

"That requires new voices in the coaching areas to support and guide the program and we need our players to dig in and be more competitive, and improve our list as well.

"That's our focus … we're not looking to scapegoat 'Richo'. We think he's the right guy."