From the MCG to Marvel Stadium, the Saints will return home this Saturday as the club looks to get back onto the winner’s list and cement its position in the top eight.

But off the back of one test against Melbourne comes another in the experienced Cats, who are fresh off a strong victory over GWS in the nation’s capital.

With 15 Saints taking to the field for Sandringham last weekend, including many impressive outputs, the selection panel will see plenty putting their hands up to take on Geelong.

Jack Billings

It was the second-straight game back for Jack Billings since returning from a hamstring injury, and St Kilda fans would have been pleased with what they saw.

30 disposals, four marks and four tackles, as well as a huge goal from 55 metres out from the No. 15 helped the Zebras to a comfortable 30-point win, with the performance following a 25-disposal, seven-mark game against the Dolphins a week before. 

Billings has not been seen in St Kilda colours since the AAMI Community Series, but with his strong output against the Bullants on Saturday, selectors may look to pull the trigger on the 26-year-old’s AFL return.

Jarrod Lienert

In his first match for the Zebras, Jarrod Lienert put together an impressive performance that would do his chances of an AFL recall no harm.

The former Port Adelaide defender was rock-solid down back as he gathered 31 disposals and eight marks, working smoothly alongside Tom Highmore, Oscar Adams and Jarryn Geary to keep the Bullants’ forwards at bay.

Having been handed the medical-sub vest in two of his last three appearances for the Saints, Lienert will be keen to break back into the starting 22 and continue to add to his tally of senior games this season. 

Tom Highmore

The high-flying Tom Highmore was slightly more grounded on the weekend, taking on a mentoring role to young Oscar Adams in the backline. 

Without Darragh Joyce by his side, Highmore shared control in defence with Jarryn Geary as he martialled the troops, ensuring that Adams and the other young defenders were in the right positions whenever the Bullants looked to attack.

His practical performance wasn’t too shabby either, collecting 29 disposals and pulling down nine marks in another strong display for the VFL outfit.

While Highmore has struggled to break back into the senior 22 this season, his efforts on the weekend are set to hold him in good stead should he be given the call to take on the Cats.

In contention

Powerful and explosive, Mitch Owens has kept his progression on an upward trajectory since joining the club in the 2021 NAB AFL Draft.

The NGA graduate had another promising showing out at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval, diving headfirst into packs, eventually finishing with 32 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 10 clearances and eight inside-50s.

Owens has impressed plenty within the club with his ability to compete for the inside ball and impact contests, and the No. 24 will be looking to get another game of AFL footy under his belt.

He worked well alongside Jack Bytel, who continued his solid form with 25 disposals and seven clearances in a customary gritty performance from the 22-year-old.

Another who stood out against the Bullants was ruckman Tom Campbell, who looked commanding throughout the game with 36 hit-outs, 22 disposals and eight clearances as he continually worked to give Sandringham first use of the footy.

The veteran No. 38 joined the Saints earlier this season to provide depth to the ruck stocks, and with another solid display for the Zebras, Campbell looks to be ready should he be required at AFL level.