St Kilda will welcome in nine debutants this Sunday as it begins its 2022 campaign in the Victorian Wheelchair Football League.

Tyler Nash, Ben Van Raay, Brady Cochrane, Daniel Fatouros, Katherine Simmons, Mark Walker, Matt Trusler, Nathan Tanner and Scott Mackay are all set to make their first appearances in the red, white and black after they were taken by the club in the 2022 VWFL Draft.

They will join Caitlyn Alger, Patrick McKay, vice-captain Liam Fitzgerald and captains Nathan Wilburn and Ryan Smith as the side prepares to take on Richmond in their first game of the season after having the bye in Round 1.

All members of the squad along with the Saints’ Blind Football team were presented with their jumpers on ground before the AFL side took on Gold Coast last week at Marvel Stadium.

Team Manager James Hammond said the team were excited to kick off the season with a new-look line-up set to take to the court.

“It’s amazing to get back into the swing of things once again,” Hammond said.

“We have so many new faces, and everyone has connected well. It is so important to provide pathways for everyone to enjoy footy and make sure our game is inclusive for all.

“For these 14 players, they will have the chance to represent the St Kilda Football Club, which not many people get to do. It is pretty special.”

The Saints will face the Tigers from 1PM at the Boroondara Sports Complex, with games played fortnightly.

Wheelchair footy at a glance:

• Played between two teams of five (5), plus interchange players.
• The field is an indoor basketball/netball court and is divided into three zones: a centre zone and two scoring zones.
• Players are restricted to which zone they can enter and are required to wear a coloured item to differentiate themselves as either a forward, centre or back. 
• Teams score by handballing or passing the football into their attacking scoring zone to the designated scorer, who can score a goal or behind by handballing the ball between the goal posts.
• A mark is awarded when the ball has travelled three or more metres.
• A handball is equivalent to a kick and a thrown ball equivalent to a pass. The ball may not be thrown overarm.
• The game consists of four 10-minute quarters with no time-on. 

2022 Robert Rose Foundation Victorian Wheelchair Football League fixture