Ross Lyon has been backed to turn on the charm and reunite with two-time AFL Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale at St Kilda.
In the latest twist to Neale's playing future, it has emerged that Lyon will meet with the Brisbane superstar soon.
The former Lions captain is an unrestricted free agent after this season and speculation is rampant about what he will do.
His marriage ended messily last summer and their children are in Perth, further complicating his playing future.
Neale played under Lyon at Fremantle before going to the Lions, where the star on-baller is a two-time premiership player.
While Saints star Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera will apparently be recruited for the Neale charm offensive, the stunning recruiting move was news to co-captain Callum Wilkie.
"Ross does have that aura about him - I've known that first-hand over the last four years," Wilkie said on Wednesday.
"He's quite funny as well and he can convince a lot of people.
"I haven't had the invite (to the Neale meeting) - nobody brings me in on anything.
"Maybe it will be 'Nas' to persuade him."
Wilkie was speaking at the Saints' members' day, where a crowd of fans watched training at RSEA Park ahead of their post-bye match on Sunday against Essendon.
Max King was a welcome sight - the injury-plagued key forward trained in a fluoro singlet as he rejoined the main group.
He has not played an AFL game since 2024, and Wilkie said King's attitude through repeated setbacks has been first-class.
"It's great to have him back in full training. No one's hungrier to get out and play footy than Max is," Wilkie said of his good friend.
"He's an important part of this footy club. He'll be awesome for us once he comes back.
"I've never seen someone with a better attitude towards rehab - to go through what he's been through."
Injuries continue to plague the Saints. Fellow captain Jack Sinclair is out for several weeks with a calf problem, while Tom De Koning is nursing fractured ribs.
Rowan Marshall has a shoulder injury, but is more likely to be available for the Bombers.
Wilkie also had a run of knocks before the bye, including Max's brother Ben putting a knee into the back of the Saints defender when they played Gold Coast in Darwin.
"I'm usually pretty good at staying out of the contest. Dougal (Howard) and Jack Silvagni going into that week, they actually put the 'moz' on me - they said I never get hit," Wilkie said of his fellow defenders.
"Funnily enough, Ben King's knee goes straight through."
St Kilda are 13th with a 6-9 record. Their run home will be boosted by not having to play outside Victoria.
"Wins and losses are probably not where we want it to be, but we're playing a lot better footy, and a lot more consistent footy, than last year," Wilkie said.
"We have a big eight weeks coming up ... we obviously don't travel again, so that's a great opportunity.
"We need to get to work, we need to get better. The feedback is we're just missing out on a few moments in games, that's costing us."
