St Kilda coach Alan Richardson has confirmed that a more experienced side to the one that played against North Melbourne will travel to MacKay this weekend for the Saints’ second outing of the NAB Challenge series.
Only 11 of St Kilda’s 26-man side that faced the Kangaroos had more than 25 games worth of senior experience, with Jack Newnes (69 games) captaining the side in the absence of Captain Nick Riewoldt.
Barring any mishaps during the week, Richardson said that five-time All Australian Riewoldt will make his first appearance of the pre-season against the Brisbane Lions in Queensland, alongside another club stalwart in Leigh Montagna, as well as other veterans Sam Fisher and David Armitage.
“Nick will be one, Joey will be one. It’s only early in the week so they’ve got to get through training but that’s what we’ve planned for,” Richardson told reporters at a press conference at Linen House Centre on Tuesday morning.
“Yes we will (play a more experienced team). That was always the plan. We think in order to prepare best for Round 1 we wanted to have our younger guys play in the first game against the Kangaroos. So we’ll have certainly a much more experienced team this week.
“That was always the plan that our more experienced, seasoned guys that have had quite a few pre-seasons will play the last couple of games.”
One player who won’t make the trip to Queensland this weekend is Paddy McCartin, with the emerging key forward still recovering from the minor hamstring strain he suffered early in St Kilda’s opening NAB Challenge clash in Wangaratta.
Richardson explained that the club would not rush McCartin to be ready to play at any level by Round 1, rather the Saints will assess how his hamstring progresses in the weeks leading into the season opener against Port Adelaide before making a decision.
“It’s a hamstring so the reality is no matter how minor (it is), 21 days (recovery policy) for our footy club applies – that will be the minimum,” Richardson said.
“But it depends how he responds and how he trains. So far it’s been really positive, he’s done really well.
“So at this stage he’ll be ready for selection by Round 1, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll play, we’ll have to wait and see what sort of lead up his had. But it’s going well.”
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