Fronting media on Thursday, the two clubs announced an alignment that could see the Saints double their portfolio in the coming years, with a women's and under-18s team both "on the table".

Crucially, the partnership will establish a pathway from Auskick to senior football in the Prospect region.

St Pats president Ian McCallum said he hoped the move would reduce travel for players and help keep young footballers in the system.

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"We think with this alignment ... we're basically two kilometres away from each other, so it's giving them somewhere to come and play," McCallum said.

"We see this as a way of ensuring the ongoing future of St Pats Football Club because in the past we've relied on mates getting mates to the football club.

"Apart from getting boys coming down from the school [St Patrick's College] ... they generally play with other football clubs first and then come to us.

"This will provide a pathway for kids to come out of junior football and into our club and we think that's important for the future of our footy club."

As part of the agreement, the two clubs intend to keep their names and emblems while adopting new guernsey designs that "reflect the pathway for youth teams".

The partnership will also see senior players attend Auskick and junior training, and junior sides playing matches during half-time at senior games.

McCallum said the Saints were also looking into fielding a women's team as early as 2022, which would link in with Prospect's under-17 NTJFA side.

ELSEWHERE IN SPORT

"Once again, they don't have anywhere in the area to go," McCallum said.

"There's process we have to go through with the NTFA - they have to grant a licence, but there'll be a discussion with the NTFA with regards to the option of having a St Pats women's team next year."

Prospect endured turbulent stints in the NTFA and TSL between 2011 and 2016 before re-establishing itself as a successful juniors-only club in the past five years.