St Kilda says its aggressive trading strategy has paid off Jack Billings landed at St Kilda. ST KILDA has ticked off on the aggressive trade moves that delivered its midfield a triple boost at Thursday night's AFL national draft. The anguish of letting go stars Nick Dal Santo and Ben McEvoy turned to joy as the Saints took three different types of midfielders who are all ready to play senior footy next season. In an injection of talent unseen at St Kilda since 2001, the Saints added dazzling ball-carrier Jack Billings, onball general Luke Dunstan and big-bodied everywhere man Blake Acres. It comes on top of a crucial exchange period adding ruckman Billy Longer, ex-Hawks midfielder Shane Savage and badly needed key defenders Josh Bruce and Luke Delaney. Head of football Chris Pelchen yesterday declared the controversial off-season moves a success as they set about repositioning the club's list to be back in finals mode by 2017. "People often make assessments at points during the trade and draft period, but now looking back we are pleased with the overall results of the trade and draft period," Pelchen said. We entered the draft with the intent to bolster our midfield and to have Jack, Luke and Blake come to the club represents a really strong return from the draft. Boasting three picks inside top-20 for the first time in 10 years, the Saints also put a high emphasis on stringent character assessments. Dunstan is already being eyed as a future leadership candidate after his commanding performance as South Australian captain at the under-18 championships. But it was Acres who delivered the Saints a welcome surprise when he was overlooked by home-town club Fremantle and was available for their selection at pick No.19. "We had anticipated he (Acres) would be taken earlier than that selection as we believe he represents the prototype of a modern AFL footballer," Pelchen said. He is 190cm, has outstanding endurance and speed and can play in numerous positions. So there is flexibility there to play through the midfield, forward or back. Billings, whose creativity mesmerised at times despite a knee injury this year, is expected to start his AFL career forward but will evolve into a midfielder. Imposing clearance king Dunstan could emerge into a senior midfield option as early as the pre-season. "Luke Dunstan because of his physical stature, is ready to play senior footy and has obviously done so in South Australia to this point," Pelchen said. While we won't place a ceiling or a level of expectation on any of our draftees, we are confident all are capable of playing senior football at some stage in 2014.