First-round draftee Ella Friend will make her much-anticipated debut tomorrow evening against West Coast as the Saints return to the main stage after a two-week absence.

Friend, taken at pick No. 4 at last year’s AFL Women’s Draft, will be joined by the returning Caitlin Greiser and Jess Matin, with defenders Alice Burke and Lucy Burke (both omitted) and Olivia Vesely (managed) coming out of the line-up.

Renee Saulitis and Lucy Burke have been listed as emergencies.

A versatile prospect with a clean left-foot, Friend has the capabilities to play as an intercept defender, a tall forward or winger, with the former likely to be her main post during her debut season.

Tuesday’s match at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval will mark St Kilda’s first game since Round 3, with its previously scheduled fixtures against West Coast and GWS called off due to the latter two sides entering AFL Health and Safety Protocols.

St Kilda and West Coast will contest for their respective first wins of the season on Tuesday 8 February, with the opening bounce at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval locked in for 5:10pm.

IN: Friend (debut), Greiser, Matin
OUT: A. Burke (omitted), L. Burke (omitted), Vesely (managed)