Veteran survives as Saints cut four in AFL

Veteran defender Sam Fisher has survived the latest cut at St Kilda as discussions about his playing future continue.

St Kilda let go four players ahead of Monday’s first AFL list lodgement – Tom Lee, Cameron Shenton, Brodie Murdoch and Eli Templeton.

Fisher, 34, is out of contract but keen to continue his 228-game career in 2017.

The club has previously said it would wait until after the AFL trade and free agency periods before making a decision on the key defender’s future.

The arrival of restricted free agent defender Nathan Brown from Collingwood didn’t bode well for Fisher, with the Saints now well-stocked in the key defensive posts.

Jake Carlisle will resume after a 12-month anti-doping ban, veteran tall Sean Dempster was offered a new one-year deal and first-round draft pick Hugh Goddard is expected to push for more playing time.

A spot on the rookie list appears Fisher’s best chance of continuing his career.

Lee’s delisting brings an end to an AFL journey that began in 2008 when he was drafted by Adelaide as a 17-year-old.

The tall forward didn’t play a game for the Crows before returning to his native Perth where he impressed in the WAFL.

As a previously listed AFL player, Greater Western Sydney held the rights to Lee but the Giants agreed to trade him to the Saints for pick 12 at the 2012 draft.

He was unable to establish himself in attack and was recast as a defender, managing just 17 games.

“We really appreciate the contribution that Cameron, Brodie, Tom and Eli have made to St Kilda Football Club as both people and players,” chief operating officer Ameet Bains said.

“Each of the boys should be proud of their ongoing effort and level of professionalism during their time with the club.”

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