St Kilda star Brendon Goddard believes his AFL side has been rejuvenated with the return of star midfielder Lenny Hayes and the emergence of some talented first-year players.

And there could be more new blood coming, with coach Scott Watters saying the Saints must look ahead and build a list capable of winning their next premiership.

Watters admitted the Saints, who have been a top-four side for five of the past eight years, may need to take a three-to-five year view to win their next flag.

While maintaining the premiership window was still open, he said player retention decisions needed to take a longer-term view.

“This club really needs to set a strong strategic pathway towards its next premiership – that might be in three to five years,” Watters told Melbourne radio station SEN.

“So every decision that’s made needs to be made with that as a clear focus.”

The Saints picked up their first win under Watters in a 92-point battering of Gold Coast on Sunday.

Goddard believes veteran Hayes’ comeback from a serious knee injury which sidelined him last season has been pivotal, as well as freshening up the side with players like mature-aged goalsneak Terry Milera.

“You don’t have to be Einstein to figure out that Lenny’s been a champion of this football club and continues to be,” Goddard said.

“His ability to win the ball in close … it makes everyone else’s job a lot easier.

“Not only Terry but other first-year players … it keeps older guys on notice, the guys that have felt comfortable in the past with their position in the team.

“It adds energy to the team and adds a bit of vibrancy as well.”

Watters said there was no timeframe to the Saints re-signing Goddard, whose out-of-contract status at the end of the season continues to see him linked with Greater Western Sydney.

“I wouldn’t expect there would be any sort of announcement quickly,” Watters said.

“There’s no urgency on either side.”