McConville, managing director of Mac's Sports, said he believes his client still has a future at the Saints. "I'll be meeting with both Simon and James this week to gauge our appetite to extend his contract and if that's healthy for them and it's healthy for us then that's great," McConville said. "Obviously he's missed a lot of football this season and to get back from his back injury was a remarkable effort, when you consider the timeline. "I believe he's got an enormous amount of value to the St Kilda Football Club going into their future." St Kilda have been contacted for comment.

Carlisle flies for the footy. Credit:Morgan Hancock Carlisle has had a season to forget, missing the first half of the season following back surgery, an issue that has followed the defender since his days at Essendon. The complex procedure saw surgeons relieve pressure on a nerve in his lower back caused by a disc protrusion. Carlisle could have had the surgery in his early 20s when playing at Essendon, or in 2016 during his season away from football, following the supplements saga. Despite returning for the last ten games of the season, Carlisle has looked a shadow of his former self, averaging just 11 disposals, compared to his previous two seasons at the Saints when he averaged 16.

As reported by The Age in May, Carlisle needed to play nine games in the second half of the season to reach the trigger for 2020. But both parties believe that now is the time to part ways if they can find an appropriate suitor. If Carlisle is to leave in the upcoming trade period, the Saints will be on the lookout for another key defender. Nathan Brown is about to turn 31 and Dylan Roberton's career remains at the crossroads with an ongoing heart condition. The potential departure of Carlisle would be seen as the beginning of a list overhaul by the Saints under a new coach, likely to be current caretaker Brett Ratten.