ST KILDA has moved some way towards ending speculation that Justin Koschitzke could depart Moorabbin during trade week.
The 26-year-old still has two years to run on a three-year deal and has been told by the club that he is a required player, but chief executive Archie Fraser stopped short of guaranteeing the former No. 2 draft pick's future at the club.
Koschitzke played 22 games this season to take his career tally to 119.
"We signed a three-year deal with him and the view is we still see him a part of the structure," Fraser told Thursday's Herald Sun.
"You never say never because you don't know what's going to come up during trade week, and he's probably been floated around more because of perception than the reality, but he's a pretty important part of the group."
Koschitzke should remain a key member of the Saints' ruck division with former Cat Steven King, with the latter's negotiations for a new deal underway.
But while the Saints remain keen on keeping Koschitzke, they are not so enthusiastic about luring Sydney Swans forward Ryan O'Keefe or its prospects of securing wayward former Eagle Ben Cousins.
"I think he's (O'Keefe) looking for a four-year deal. He's 28 this year; we don't have a good history of doing long-term deals," Fraser said.
"We don't even know if he wants to stay in Sydney yet, so I'd have to say no, I can't see us ... we won't be giving away our early pick and they would want an early pick.
"[As for Cousins] we certainly think we're in the mix, but I think he will end up at Collingwood because of his relationship with Mick (Malthouse) and I don't think he'll come here unless the Collingwood thing falls apart."
St Kilda has six picks at November's draft meeting with its first at No. 13.
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Trade week runs from October 6-10, 2008. Please note, no trades are official until paperwork has been accepted by the AFL and formally recognised after 2pm on Friday, October 10. More trade talk.
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