A huge Friday night of footy awaits, but before that, the Spud's Game Curtain Raiser and everything else in-between is the main event: Ross' press conference.

Catch up on everything on the agenda as the Saints prepare to take on the Lions at Marvel Stadium.

1. Skunk to the sidelines

While the injury list had been free of many new additions in recent weeks, Tim Membrey is unfortunately back on as he continues to recover from a knee setback.

After missing the first five matches of 2023 following pre-season knee surgery, a new rehab plan has been mapped out as he rebuilds his strength and confidence; the timeline for a possible return between six to eight weeks.

Ross says...: "He just hasn’t been comfortable and confident… and you’ve got to take the feedback (about what players feel about themselves). He could train and play, but he just doesn’t feel it’s as strong as it should be. All our rehab is milestone-based, so if he hits them and jumps hurdles it’ll be earlier."

2. Reinforced Steele

A quieter few weeks for captain Jack Steele has generated buzz, but Lyon says there's nothing to worry about as the skipper finds his feet after a handful of injury concerns.

Ross says...: "I don’t think he’s at his absolute best, but there’s not a player in the competition that doesn’t need continuity. To expect him to be 'All-Australian Jack Steele' off the back of all that is a little unrealistic. We’ve got to look after him, he’s just so important to us."

3. For our mates, for Spud

Friday will mark one of the most powerful days on the St Kilda calendar, with Spud's Game: A Match for Mental Health on the horizon.

2 in 5 Australians will experience mental ill-health in their lifetime, with funds raised from the game directly facilitating mental health programs run from the Danny Frawley Centre.

Ross says...: "I think it’s a good footprint in the community and it’s helped a lot of people. We’re all on the continuum somewhere, we all slide depending on events in our lives. We all deal with mental health."

4. To tag, or not to tag?

Mick Jagger may be the leading man of The Rolling Stones, but they're far from a one-man show.

It's much the same for Brisbane's midfield, with Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale part of the "triple-A midfield" of Hugh McCluggage, Will Ashcroft, Josh Dunkley and others, who will be a force for the Saints to contend with come Friday.

While the temptation to tag Neale is there - especially after Marcus Windhager's Rising Star-winning performance on him in Round 22 of last year - Lyon says there's more than one threat to deal with.

Ross says...: "Lachie's a great player, he’s a pretty special person in my coaching career. We won’t tag him. He’s just part of their band now. He came in as their lead singer, now they share the load really well. Our focus would be the whole group."