ASSURED of retaining Nick Dal Santo and Xavier Clarke, St Kilda today could finalise a massive three-year deal for its brightest star, Nick Riewoldt.

Dal Santo and Clarke have all but agreed to terms on new deals — Dal Santo for three years, Clarke for two — and the manager of the trio, Ricky Nixon, will meet the Saints today with the hope of completing the Riewoldt deal.

The Saints then can turn their attention to uncontracted key defender Matt Maguire. Key forward Fraser Gehrig is out of contract at season's end, but has yet to confirm whether he intends to play on.

Confirming that Dal Santo and Clarke had agreed to remain at St Kilda, Nixon said last night that today's meeting could resolve the Riewoldt negotiations. "The intention would be to try and get it to finalisation tomorrow, but see what happens," Nixon said.

St Kilda chief executive Archie Fraser said he was unsure if the Riewoldt negotiations would conclude today, though obviously the club hoped to put the contract of their star player to bed soon.

Riewoldt's imminent new contract will confirm his position as one of the AFL's best-paid players, with the key forward earning a minimum of $700,000. With marketing and additional endorsement deals, Riewoldt should earn more than a million dollars next year.

The anticipated three years would mean that Riewoldt, who is 24, would be tied to the Saints until the end of 2010, when he will turn 28 and will have completed 10 years with the club.

Riewoldt has been the priority signing, not only because of his ability, but because he was among the players most upset by the sacking of former coach Grant Thomas — a situation that had the potential to complicate his contract talks.

Riewoldt, however, now enjoys a strong relationship with new coach Ross Lyon.