AMERICAN rookie Jason Holmes is ‘right in the mix’ to play against Geelong this week, according to senior coach Alan Richardson.
The ruckman has enjoyed a consistent VFL season playing in the ruck and in recent weeks has added goal kicking to his rapidly expanding repertoire of skills.
In Sunday’s win over the Northern Blues, Holmes kicked one major from three scoring shots and looked more assured than ever in Sandringham’s forward 50.
With Jack Billings and Tom Lee on the long-term injury list, there is space for St Kilda to upgrade a rookie to the senior list – a possibility that Richardson indicated could eventuate as soon as this Saturday night against the Cats.
“Jason is right in the mix this week,” Richardson said.
“We’ve had our preliminary match committee and he is certainly in our discussions. We train today, we train again on Thursday and he’s really close.”
How the 25-year-old Holmes would fit into the Saints line-up is another discussion point altogether, with Billy Longer and Tom Hickey currently holding down the two available ruck spots.
Longer has had a breakout season and is ranked sixth in the AFL for total hit outs from 18 out of a possible 19 games.
Longer’s exceptional form has forced Hickey to ply his trade in the VFL, although the recently signed left footer has still managed nine matches and impressed with two goals on Saturday as a forward.
“It’s been a bit of a challenge for Tom this year because Billy has been really strong for us,” Richardson said.
“He’s come back in the team in the past two weeks and he’s been really positive. Long-term we think he is going to be a really good player for us, not only in the ruck but also as a forward.”
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One area of Longer’s game that needs work is his goal kicking, according to Richardson. The 22-year-old has booted just one major for the year and two for his career.
“Both guys need to develop their forward play,” he said.
“We can’t really afford to have two guys in the ruck who can’t push forward and that’s why the weekend was so pleasing for Tom. He had four shots on goal and marked the ball really strongly against Hansen and Tarrant.”
When Hickey has not played, Josh Bruce has pinch-hit in the ruck and competed admirably. Although Bruce stands at 196cm – on the shorter side for a modern day big man – it has been his work at ground level that has impressed Richardson.
“I don’t mind Brucey going in to the ruck,” he said.
“He has been pretty positive for us and he is a really good athlete. He is able to give us some ground level play and some spread as a ruckman.”
Regardless of whether Holmes plays this weekend or not, St Kilda’s ruck stocks are in good hands heading into 2016.
Meanwhile, Richardson said Luke Dunstan and Shane Savage are both 'likely' to be available for selection this week after suffering minor injuries.
