St Kilda have scored a recruiting coup with Fremantle livewire Brad Hill nominating the Saints as his preferred destination at this year’s AFL trade period.

Hill, a triple-premiership player with Hawthorn, has played 54 games in three seasons for the Dockers following his switch from the Hawks.

He still has two years left to run on his current contract, but speculation mounted throughout the season he and his partner were keen to return to Victoria for family reasons.

“Brad and myself have been trying to be totally transparent,” Colin Young, Hill’s manager, told the Herald Sun on Friday.

“We have worked with Fremantle and advised them as early as possible to give them traction in the trade period.

“We advised them of the possibility of a trade in June or July and in late July or early August advised them he wanted to play with St Kilda.

“It was all done with the hope of getting to St Kilda.”

The Dockers sent pick No.25 to Hawthorn for Hill at the 2016 trade period, but are understood to be keen on landing the Saints’ No.5 pick at this year’s draft as part of any deal for the talented 26-year-old.

St Kilda are set to be major players at this year’s trade period as new coach Brett Ratten looks to reshape his squad.

Jack Steven and Josh Bruce have been linked to potential moves to Geelong and the Western Bulldogs respectively.

While the club would be loath to lose both, they will almost certainly need to add to their current picks if they are to deal for Hill, with their first selection after pick No.5 not until No.55.

The Saints are also keen to lure Adelaide defender Alex Keath, who has undergone a physical at Moorabbin.