ST KILDA is about to begin its most significant negotiations for 2007, with talks between the club and the management of Nick Riewoldt and Nick Dal Santo slated for next week.

The signing of Riewoldt, particularly, is crucial, given the immense interest he has attracted from other clubs — including the Brisbane Lions and the Kangaroos — and the massive sums of money involved.

There has been speculation about Riewoldt's intentions beyond this year, given his close relationship with sacked coach Grant Thomas and the anger the superstar forward voiced upon the coach's removal.

But it is believed that his relationship with key club figures, including president Rod Butterss, is much better now, and the club believes that there will be no further fallout from Thomas' departure when the contract negotiations open with Ricky Nixon, who manages both Riewoldt and Dal Santo.

While retaining Dal Santo and especially Riewoldt is crucial to the club's immediate future, the Saints also understand they need to secure the pair at a price that make it possible to surround them with sufficient talent to win a premiership.

"We want to pay them what they're worth, we want to pay them well, but we don't want to pay them so well that we rob them of an opportunity to play in a premiership," Butterss said, describing Riewoldt and Dal Santo as "vital" to the club's future.

"We see them, obviously, as key players to our premiership plan."

St Kilda is still completing its salary-cap forecasting for the next three years and has been unable to open negotiations with Riewoldt and Dal Santo until it has a clear picture of where it was headed in terms of player payments.

As club chief executive Archie Fraser explained last night: "Clearly, we need to understand what's possible and what's not possible before we go in and see the guys."

Butterss and Fraser said the Saints would be seeking to sign both Riewoldt and Dal Santo on two- or three-year contracts.

The Saints believe Riewoldt, a 24-year-old triple best-and-fairest, is unquestionably among the top 10 players in the AFL, and will negotiate with that in mind.

The key forward would command a million dollars a year from another club, with the Kangaroos having indicated they would pay that for Chris Judd. Riewoldt, as a Gold Coast native, is worth more to the Roos and Brisbane in marketing terms than most other clubs.

Collectively, the pair could comfortably earn $1.5 million in the event that they were prepared to leave Moorabbin.

Butterss said there was no problem between Riewoldt and himself in the wake of the Thomas sacking. "It's not an issue. I mean, Nick's demeanour, body language, communication with me is outstanding."

Butterss said Riewoldt's relationship with new coach Ross Lyon was obviously more critical.

"That's his trade and Ross is his coach or teacher. That relationship is obviously critical, me less so," Butterss said.

"And you know, I think what was misunderstood, I actually have got a lot of respect for Nick Riewoldt and his strength of character and his ability to be honest with me over summer. I really respected that. It's what makes him the leader that he is — that honesty and transparency."

If Riewoldt and Dal Santo are the signing priorities this year, the main concern for St Kilda for 2008 would be Aaron Hamill, who is contracted to play for the club next year on an estimated $450,000 or so — the final year of his five-year deal.