The last time St Kilda last secured six straight wins, Nick Riewoldt was captain, Ross Lyon was coach and the red, white and black had only just moved its base of operations from Moorabbin to Seaford.

That was all the way back in 2011. A lot has happened since then, but Saturday night's match against Port Adelaide presents the Saints with an opportunity to mirror the achievement from the decade prior.

St Kilda is on track to be boosted by the return of Paddy Ryder from suspension, but with a tough travel regimen through successive interstate missions and a handful of promising displays at VFL level, selection discussions might not be so straight-forward.

Paddy Ryder

If ever there was a time St Kilda needed an All-Australian ruckman in its line-up, this week is the one.

Paddy Ryder's return from a two-match suspension comes right on schedule following Jack Hayes' season-ending knee injury, along with regular ruck partner Rowan Marshall nursing a corked thigh on Friday night against the Giants.

It forced Josh Battle into the main ruck post against the heavyset Braydon Preuss and Matthew Flynn, and while his performance as a pinch-hitting big man was superb, the key back likely be more than content in relinquishing the reins. 

Ryder shapes as a clean-cut swap for the sidelined Hayes, with the former averaging a touch under 30 hit-outs and a goal in his past two outings against his former side.

Ryan Byrnes

Ryan Byrnes hadn't played any football in the past fortnight as St Kilda's unused medical sub, but you wouldn't have known it if his VFL performance last weekend was anything to go by.

The clean on-baller was a cut above in his home state, closing out his afternoon with an efficient 34 disposals (18 contested), 11 clearances and a clever spoil late in the contest to force the Giants to split the points at Blacktown.

Byrnes and Dean Kent (25 disposals, nine inside-50s, two goals) were key factors in Sandringham trimming back its 20-point deficit at three-quarter time, with the ability to extract at the contest a deciding factor in the overall result. 

Although playing as a pure midfielder in the VFL, Byrnes has often been deployed as a high half-forward while in St Kilda colours. The ability to play both positions will do his chances of a senior call-up no harm however, with Brett Ratten having option of rotating him through the midfield should the Saints need a fresh set of legs.

Tom Highmore

St Kilda's backline has proven difficult for oppositions to crack in 2022, and likewise it's been just as difficult for the Saints in the wings to break into.

Tom Highmore has done his chances of a recall no harm however, with his most recent VFL outing edging him closer towards his first senior appearance since Round 21, 2021.

The intercept defender was one of Sandringham's best against the Giants, stabilising the young backline with 30 disposals and seven marks to keep minimise the home side's effectiveness heading into attack.

Highmore collected 11 of his touches in the first term, with his calmness under pressure and clean execution by foot likely to put his name in contention for a possible call-up to Cairns.

In contention

Dean Kent's pursuit in reaching his 100th senior match could come to a head this week following an impactful display for Sandringham last Saturday.

The small forward netted 25 disposals, nine inside-50s and two goals after being put in the midfield in the final term. Both of his majors came in that final half-hour of play.

Jack Hayes' injury potentially opens the door for Tom Campbell to be the next big man in, while Max Heath has taken promising steps as the No. 1 ruck for Sandringham during Campbell's absence in the past fortnight (AFL emergency, then AFL Health & Safety protocols).

Leo Connolly continues to string together influential outings for Sandringham, Mitch Owens and Jack Bytel lie in reserve while Cooper Sharman's three goals over the weekend marked his best performance of the year. 

Meanwhile, Jack Billings (hamstring) and Zak Jones (AFL Health & Safety protocols) will make their returns via the VFL this weekend.