A HOST of impressive performances stemming from Sandringham’s VFL loss on Saturday has created a welcome selection headache for Alan Richardson ahead of his first trip to Perth as St Kilda’s coach.

Despite the Zebras falling 13 points short of Werribee in their final practice match of the pre-season, a variety of youngsters continue to put pressure on their senior counterparts.

The most prolific of these players was Seb Ross, an in-and-under midfielder with 14 AFL games under his belt.

The 20-year-old averaged 15 disposals per game last year for the Saints and amassed a further 33 touches for the Zebras on the weekend.
He was an emergency for St Kilda’s round one match against Melbourne, and as a result was unable to play VFL as the two games were on at a similar time.

“He got a lot of possessions, worked pretty hard and it was nice for him to go forward and get a goal,” Sandringham coach Simon McPhee told SAINTS.com.au on Saturday afternoon.

Assistant coach Paul Hudson was similarly complimentary of Ross’ efforts.

“To his credit, he was in our top five players,” Hudson said in his VFL player breakdown.

“His strength in and around the ball was good and won a lot of one-on-one contests. He just needs to keep working on his spread.”
Should Richardson elect to take another midfielder to Perth, Ross will undoubtedly be one of the ball-winners considered to make the trip.
Another member of Sandringham’s engine room on Saturday to impress was Terry Milera.

Not noted as a traditional midfielder, the 26-year-old also booted three goals, and according to Hudson, was “very good at the clearances.”
Milera’s 25 AFL games have largely been spent as a crumbing forward, but his 2014 evolution into a creative midfielder adds another string to his bow.

Utility Sam Dunell is another player who impressed in the VFL, kicking a goal and providing a medium-sized target playing as a high half-forward.

“He had a great game,” Hudson said. “I thought he was our best forward. He contributed in all facets of the game with his offensive skills and defensive pressure.”
Of the others, Jack Billings, Billy Longer, Trent Dennis-Lane and Tom Simpkin all enjoyed solid hit outs, with Billings’ silky smooth skills earning praise from Hudson.

“He’s a lovely kick and makes good decisions and actually sets us up the way he uses the ball. He played a full game and we are trying to get minutes into Jack because he was obviously the sub against Melbourne.”

Yet while it’s all well and good to discuss St Kilda’s potential inclusions, it’s a harder task trying to decipher which Saints (if any) will make way.

Three players who contributed to St Kilda’s seven-point victory over GWS will undergo tests later this week to determine their availability ahead of Saturday’s game.

RELATED: Injury list 

Sam Gilbert, Tom Hickey and Dylan Roberton will be put through their paces, while Adam Schneider and Jack Steven are a further week away.

Long-kicking half-back Jimmy Webster missed out altogether last weekend after straining his groin against the Demons. While his rebounding qualities were impressive in round one, he’s no walk-up start to the senior team this weekend given the fierce competition for places.

“Webster was a little bit sore in his groin last week but trained fully today… so he should play,” Club physiotherapist Andrew Wallis told SAINTS.com.au.

The other selection dilemma Richardson has to consider is how many players to take to Western Australia. He has the option to take a full squad of 25, but in doing so this would mean three Saints would miss out on a game all together, with Sandringham due to play Frankston on Saturday afternoon in the VFL’s season opener.