St Kilda has made three changes ahead of Friday night’s match against the Western Bulldogs, with Ryan Byrnes, Ben Paton and Cooper Sharman all returning for the Saints' all-important push towards the top-eight.

The trio all pieced together commendable performances in last weekend's VFL outing against Footscray, with Byrnes in particular a standout with 26 disposals, 10 clearances and a goal in three quarters.

The Saints will be down midfielders Seb Ross and Marcus Windhager through AFL Health & Safety Protocols, while Darragh Joyce and last week’s unused medi-sub Ben Long have been omitted.

Long and Joyce join Jarrod Lienert and Leo Connolly as emergencies for Round 18.

Friday night will mark the TAC and AFL Victoria's Round Safety Round, with St Kilda players and coaches to wear blue armbands in memory of those whose lives have been lost on Victoria's roads. 

Dan Butler will also celebrate his 100th AFL match, 55 of which have been played in Saints colours.

St Kilda will face the Western Bulldogs on Friday 15 July at Marvel Stadium, beginning at 7:50pm AEST.

IN: Byrnes, Paton, Sharman
OUT: Joyce (omitted), Long (medi-sub), Ross (AFL Health & Safety Protocols), Windhager (AFL Health & Safety Protocols)

Last week's medical sub: Long (unused)