Friday night prime-time football will be the backdrop for Erin McKinnon's first game of 2023, with her and the Saints set to take on the Western Bulldogs at a refurbished VU Whitten Oval tomorrow evening.

The 24-year-old ruck comes into the line-up in place of Simone Nalder, who has shouldered the ruck duties with support from Jesse Wardlaw in the opening four rounds of the season.

It will be McKinnon's first senior game since Round 5 of last season, with a concussion and subsequent ankle surgery bringing her campaign to a premature close.

Deanna Jolliffe, Rosie Dillon and Caitlin Matthews have been named as emergencies for tomorrow night.

Friday's affair will be the first AFLW game at VU Whitten Oval in over a year, with the Bulldogs' heartland undergoing extensive redevelopment works for the past several months.

St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs will meet in Friday night prime-time at VU Whitten Oval, commencing at 7:15pm.

Round 5

Western Bulldogs v St Kilda
Friday 29 September
7:15pm AEST, VU Whitten Oval
Broadcast live on Channel 7, Fox Footy, Kayo and the AFL and AFLW Official Live Apps

IN: McKinnon
OUT: Nalder (omitted)