The lightly framed half-forward has been elevated in place of ruckman Lewis Pierce, who has been placed on the Saints long term injury list as he recovers from a back injury.
Templeton was selected with pick No.3 in last year’s rookie draft after impressing for Tasmania in the 2013 under-18 National Championship.
VIDEO: Eli goal out of mid-air
Considered to be unlucky to miss out on the National Draft, the 18-year-old from the Burnie Dockers was snapped up with the Saints’ first selection in the rookie draft.Templeton made an immediate impact during this year’s NAB Challenge, booting two goals off the ground in the Saints clash with the Western Bulldogs in Geelong.
With a distinctive mop of hair and an uncanny knack around goal, Templeton immediately developed a cult following and is now eligible for selection ahead of this Saturday’s season opener against Melbourne.
He is also an elite endurance athlete, finishing seventh in the 3km time trial and fourth in the beep test with 15.3 at last year’s combine.
You can follow Tom Morris on Twitter: @tommorris32
