Merge to survive

Been thinking about st kilda and how they have been so close yet so far from that elusive flag. With the players they've had in the last decade and still not be able to win the big one.
This year they've had scandal, a massive annual loss, and potential salary cap disaster currently. With their aging list surely their window has all but shut.
With 18 teams in the comp from next year surely that is too many. The talent pool in stretched thin.
I reckon some of the Melbourne teams need to merge. St kilda with a history of misery are a prime candidate.
Thoughts?
This year they've had scandal, a massive annual loss, and potential salary cap disaster currently. With their aging list surely their window has all but shut.
With 18 teams in the comp from next year surely that is too many. The talent pool in stretched thin.
I reckon some of the Melbourne teams need to merge. St kilda with a history of misery are a prime candidate.
Thoughts?