A shocked Jack Peris has become one of the first victims of St Kilda coach Ross Lyon's cull to implement more depth to his AFL playing roster.

The axe swung three days after the club's elimination from this year's final series on Saturday.

The Saints told Peris that his two-year contract would not be renewed for next season.

It is understood the 19-year-old had been given no indication of his termination on Tuesday.

The family wrapped their arms around Peris soon after hearing of the Saints delisting and are hoping the defensive forward will get another opportunity at a second club.

Acting general manager of football David Mission stated Peris was one of the "popular members of our playing group" and should leave the club knowing he would "always be a part of the St Kilda family".

The Iwatja, Yawuru and Gidja man, along with teammates Oscar Adams, Jack Bytel, and Leo Connolly, were the first of Lyon's casualties towards assembling his own list after the coach's first year back at Moorabbin.

The four-time grand final coach, including three times for St Kilda across the 2009 and 2010 campaigns, only returned to the club weeks after last year's trading period and ensuing draft, largely inheriting Brett Ratten's planned 2023 squad.

Since giving up Darwin home life for Melbourne, Peris was drafted through the club's Next Generation academy, as a category B rookie, while on Ratten's watch.

Peris, the son of Olympic sprinters Nova Peris and the late Daniel Batman, spent two years at Sandringham Dragons after earning a scholarship to Melbourne Grammar.

Returning to athletics where Peris won an under-15 national title is not likely an immediate option.

He was once set to compete at the 2020 under-20 World Athletics Championships until the event was cancelled at the start of the pandemic, turning his attention and training program back to his passion for footy.

Peris had made his AFL debut amid an St Kilda's ugly loss on the Gold Coast in round 19 this year, grabbing five kicks, eight handballs, three marks and four tackles.

The remark when Lyon singled out "Peris found out how hard the level is" in the post-match press conference was up for interpretation.

But within days of a seemingly encouraging debut, Peris was omitted from the Saints AFL side and returned to the VFL to never make another senior appearance this season.