Tom Ledger Biography

Tom Ledger admits he's taken a risk by walking out of St Kilda but believes he has plenty to offer another club after realising what it takes to become an elite player.

"I don't know whether if I stayed again, I'd be right at the bottom," Ledger said.

"I'll be right at the bottom at another club as well but I just felt it went a bit stale and the best thing would be to get out and start somewhere fresh.

"Mentally, it's better for me to do that [rather] than banging your head against the wall again.

"That's what I felt and maybe it's slightly illogical but that's just how I felt going forward."

With up to five clubs expressing interest in him, Tom Ledger decides to leave the Saints in search of greater opportunities.

"I want to thank Chris Pelchen and Ameet Bains at the Saints for agreeing to Tom's request to be delisted," Ledger's manager Jason Dover said.

"We think by doing this Tom can start to look at opportunities at other clubs, and it gives him a better opportunity of being picked up as delisted free agent, not having to rely a trade.

"Tom realises there are no guarantees he will be picked up, but it was a calculated risk he was prepared to take to get the fresh start he thinks he needs."

St Kilda has signed veteran Beau Wilkes and youngster Tom Ledger until the end of next season.

"Beau is an strong clubman that has very quickly become respected within the St Kilda inner sanctum," St Kilda coach Scott Watters said.

"Tom continues to develop his craft and we have high expectations for his continued improvement this pre-season and beyond."

Tom Ledger makes his AFL debut for St Kilda at the MCG with 10 disposals (7 kicks and 3 handballs), a mark and a tackle in a 57-point loss to Collingwood.