Nathan Wright and Tom Leewill make their AFL debuts this week after they were selected in the senior StKilda team to take on Greater Western Sydney at Manuka Oval this Saturday.
Wrightand Lee both came to the Saints over the off-season - Lee was traded to theSaints as a pre-listed GWS player after an impressive stint at WAFL clubClaremont where he booted 60 goals in 2012.
TheSaints received two picks in the Lee trade - 43, which was used on promisingmidfielder Josh Saundersand 24 which was used on Wright.
Wrightwas the club's first selection at the draft after coming through TAC Cup teamDandenong Stingrays.?The pair played the bulk of the NAB Cup, with Wrightperforming well off half-back while Lee presented strongly as a key forward.
Onhearing the news, Lee paid tribute to head coach Scott Watters for his guidancesince joining the Saints.
"Sinceday one, Scott has shown a lot of faith in my ability and a lot of faith in theway I play football. Knowing that makes it easy to play for a coach," Leetold saints.com.au.
"He'skept me in line and kept me focused. I've got many people to thank for gettingme to my first game but Scotty would be right up there on that list."
Wrightechoed Lee's sentiments.
"It'spretty exciting and I've been pretty rapt since I was told the news. Mum andDad are flying up to Canberra to watch it so that'll be pretty good,"Wright said.
"Ijust want to play my role, gain respect from the boys and hopefully contributeto a win."
Watterssaid the pair were deserving of their spots in the team.
"Nathanand Tom have earned their selection with solid performances over the pre-seasonand through the NAB Cup. Nathan is a hard competitor, very good in a contestand has the capacity to provide some bounce out of the back half," Watterssaid.?"Tom is an emerging mobile tall forward with great hands who isreally benefiting from working with Nick Riewoldtand JustinKoschitzke."
Wrightand Lee's first game coincides with the 200th time Nick Riewoldt,Nick Dal Santoand Stephen Milnehave played together.
Watterssaid the game would be memorable on a number of fronts.
"Ona day when Nick, Dal and Milney play their 200th game together, twoplayers will debut. They'll remember that'
Round 3 - GWS Giants v St Kilda?Game Date:?Saturday April 13 at ManukaOval
B:Nathan Wright,Sam Fisher,Dylan Roberton?
HB:Jarryn Geary,Rhys Stanley,Sam Gilbert?
C:Jack Newnes,Lenny Hayes,Nick Dal Santo
?HF:Leigh Montagna,Nick Riewoldt,Terry Milera
?F:Stephen Milne,Tom Lee,Ahmed Saad
?Foll:Ben McEvoy,David Armitage,Jack Steven
?Inter:Clint Jones,Arryn Siposs,Jason Blake,Beau Maister
?Emergencies:Farren Ray,Tom Simpkin,Sam Dunell
In:Tom Lee,Nathan WrightOut: Adam Schneider(Hamstring), Sean Dempster(Hand)
New:Nathan Wright,Tom Lee
