LUKE Dunstan headlines the likely inclusions ahead of St Kilda’s crucial clash with Carlton on Monday.

The round one Rising Star nominee suffered the first minor setback of his short career last Thursday when he was concussed at training.

Once he was assessed, it was clear that the left footer would be taking no part in the Saints round seven encounter against Hawthorn and the team missed him dearly. 

Nevertheless, given the significant impact the South Australian had across the first six rounds, it’s difficult to imagine him not coming straight back into St Kilda’s engine room on Monday evening.

But with Jarryn Geary suffering a broken arm, the Saints are potentially a touch light on for defenders and may call upon one or both of Josh Bruce and Dylan Roberton to sure up their backline.

“There were a few guys that went out of the team, so depending on their performance [in the VFL] they may get an opportunity to get back in,” Alan Richardson said following Saturday’s loss.

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“That’s footy. If it is that you don’t play well and the team doesn’t play well, and the guys that are pushing from underneath, then you leave your position in jeopardy and that’s where we sit.”

Bruce and Roberton have both been omitted this year – Bruce last week and Roberton after round two.

“Brucey took some really good marks when we needed him to,” Paul Hudson said in his VFL player breakdown this week.

“He was solid down back and laid a couple of tackles.”

With Nathan Wright, Sam Gilbert, Jarryn Geary and now Sam Fisher out for extended periods of time, the door is ajar for a young defender or two to cement their positions in the Saints senior line-up.

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A smoky for a call-up is rookie Cameron Shenton, who continues to impress for Sandringham, collecting 20 possessions and booting a goal in the Zebras enthralling win over on Sunday. 

“He’s been quite consistent and he’s so good one-on-one in the marking contest,” Hudson said.

The 23-year-old half-back debuted in round 22 last year, but has been unable to earn a list elevation this season despite a string of excellent performance at VFL level.

From a goal-kicking perspective, Arryn Siposs was back to his best on Sunday, booting three goals among 20 disposals in the wet.

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Siposs had a slow start to the season, but as his defensive pressure improved so has his goal-kicking abilities, according to Hudson.

“This was the best game I’ve seen Sippo play all season,” he said.

“He was involved in all facets of the game and a couple of marks late in the game were absolutely crucial grabs because it allowed us to slow the game up once we hit the lead.”

 

The long-kicking forward has played 25 matches in the red, white and black since he was selected with pick 75 in the 2010 National Draft. While he managed to string five consecutive senior games together in the middle of last year, Siposs has generally been in and out of the side since his debut against the Blues in round seven, 2011.

If Richardson chooses to select more firepower this Monday night, then Siposs, along with Sam Dunell, are likely to be considered. Dunell is probably less of a goal-kicker than Siposs, but has enjoyed a consistent start to the year for Sandringham as a high half-forward capable of taking a strong grab.

Even though the scoreboard heavily favoured Hawthorn in round seven, St Kilda still had its fair share of ball in the midfield and only just lost the contested ball count.

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Aside from Montagna’s 39 touches and Steven’s 29, Farren Ray accumulated his usual 24 possessions, as did Lenny Hayes.

As a result, if Seb Ross is going to force his way into the team this week, it will more than likely be at the expensive of either Jack Newnes or Maverick Weller. Whether either of these two medium sized ball-winners deserve the chop is a separate question altogether. 

Whiles Newnes only collected 11 disposals, he did lay five tackles and has been a consistent player for the Saints in 2014, averaging 19.7 touches per outing.

Meanwhile, Weller was elevated last week and effectively replaced Ross in the team. Though the former Gold Coast Sun failed to lock in his position, he was far from the worst and finished with 16 disposals for the game.

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Ross’s 32-touch, two-goal performance does place considerable pressure on Richardson, however – even with Dunstan’s likely inclusion.

“He bounced back really well following the disappointment of being left out of the senior team,” Hudson said.

“He had four shots on goal and he generally got those from stoppages and tight situations.”

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With the VFL team still unbeaten, there is considerable pressure being placed on members of the St Kilda team every week, and this round’s selection debate is no different. 

It will be intriguing to see how Richardson responds following the 145-point defeat and whether he wields the axe, or holds fire. 

The Saints will release an extended squad at the usual time on Thursday night, and finalise their 25 late on Saturday afternoon.