St Kilda may have lost the battle, but it's yet to be seen if the spirited AFL competitor will win the war.
The new weapon towards gaining ground could be a talented Kokatha, Mirning and Wirangu man that is yet to make his AFL debut, however on Wednesday Isaac Keeler left most good judges nodding.
Entering his third preseason at Moorabbin, Keeler ran out onto the ground and went straight to centre-half back during the club's ultimate intra-club clash and first match stimulation of the summer.
A couple hours later, the South Australian recruit proved to be the biggest positive out of more than 40 players that were trialling for team spots ahead of 2025 AFL season.
After playing two solid seasons for the Saints' VFL affiliate Sandringham in a variety of roles including half forward, ruck, full forward and throughout the midfield, the 198cm Keeler from Ceduna proved he was more than capable of mixing with teammates and tempting coach Ross Lyon to move his name on the whiteboard to the back line of the centre square.
The club lost Josh Battle in the offseason – as a restricted free agent – following eight years' of service for the Saints to Hawthorn.
The AFL ticked off compensation for St Kilda for Battle's move to Waverley which conjured up a second top-10 selection, including prospective half backs.
Now the agile 20-year-old tall – whose name was called out at the No.44 pick in the 2022 AFL draft – appears to be the frontrunner to Battle's old position.
Keeler has used the past two years to slowly strengthen his wiry frame and it showed in a best-on-ground performance against half of his club mates, and in front of several hundred fans.
The untried swingman drawn from SANFL club North Adelaide was matched onto Saints key forward Max King amid a competitive battle.
Arguably pitting the most mobile talls on the club's list against each other was intriguing until King left the practice track early.
Keeler contesting strongly against King in early one-on-one drills while his strong aerial work was notable, peaking in a contest against ruck prospect Max Heath after King's departure while bringing down the mark of the day.
Keeler told the National Indigenous Times on his arrival at Moorabbin although he either played most of his juniors at centre-half forward or in the ruck, the utility was a natural fit and had the ability to adapt to a number of positions.
"I am pretty big on my athleticism – I really having a run and jump at the ball, and try taking marks at the highest point," Keeler said in December 2022.
"I also think it's (my strength) about my goal sense, when I'm down forward and creating goals for other players off the ball and setting them up."
Ironically, he is one of three players in the AFL system yet to debut in the ruck that could represent the Indigenous All-Stars in the preseason clash against Fremantle on February 15.
Keeler, in addition to second-year AFL-listed rookies, Coen Livingstone (West Coast) and Mitch Edwards (Geelong), are the three tallest Aboriginal players from the other 17 clubs.
However it appears Port Adelaide forward-utility Jeremy Finlayson, who stands 197cms, is a most likely option to take on Dockers followers Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson.
