ST KILDA has delisted Luke Delaney, Tom Curren, Josh Saunders and Brenton Payne as it hatches plans to push towards a top-eight berth in 2017.

The Saints missed the 2016 finals series by percentage after posting 12 wins, and announced the four list changes on Wednesday.

Delaney, 27, was the only one of the quartet to play any senior football in 2016. He played four games this season after 33 in his previous two years at the Saints.

He finished fifth in the 2014 best and fairest count, but was severely hampered by a hip injury in 2015. 

Delaney started his career at North Melbourne, playing 26 matches between 2011-13 before being traded to the Saints.

Curren, 22, played 25 games after he was recruited in the 2011 rookie draft. He was elevated in 2013 and played 16 games in 2014, but managed just two senior games since.

Saunders, 22, played 22 games between 2013-15. He was delisted at the end of 2015 before he was redrafted as a rookie for 2016, but did not play a single game this year.

Payne was rookie drafted in 2015 with pick No.37. The 193cm forward prospect suffered an ankle injury that season, and did not get a senior opportunity in his two years on the list.

The Saints will have former Essendon big man Jake Carlisle return to the list for 2017 once his 12-month doping ban is lifted in November.