The Saints welcome back two of their most experienced stars for the all-important clash with the Demons on Saturday afternoon.
Skipper Jarryn Geary and midfield gun Jack Steven have been named as the Saints seek their fourth win of the season.
Geary was a late withdrawal from last Sunday’s game against Hawthorn with illness, while Steven has missed the past two as the Saints manage his workload.
Daniel McKenzie will miss through concussion, with the club taking the necessary precautions after the gritty defender was involved in a head clash against the Hawks.
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Young midfielder Hunter Clark will line-up for Sandringham on Sunday at Trevor Barker Oval after two matches in the senior side.
Steven’s trademark explosive pace will be an important weapon against the well-stocked Demons’ on-ball brigade.
His inclusion alongside Seb Ross, Jack Steele and Jade Gresham sets up a mouth-watering contest in the middle with the Demons boasting bulls Jack Viney, Clayton Oliver and Angus Brayshaw.
Steven was the hero last time the two sides met, with his 27 disposals, seven clearances and clutch goal lifting St Kilda to its third win of 2018.
Ben Paton has retained his spot after a late call-up for Geary in Round 4, impressing with 15 composed disposals and a series of defensive spoils at pivotal times of the game.
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Defender Darragh Joyce has been named an emergency after missing last week with soreness, joining Jonathon Marsh, Nick Hind and Robbie Young in the squad.
Hind collected 41 disposals in a dominant VFL performance last week, while Young and Marsh have also impressed at VFL level in the first two weeks of the season.
Melbourne will host St Kilda at the MCG this Saturday at 4:35pm.
IN: Jarryn Geary, Jack Steven
OUT: Daniel McKenzie (concussion), Hunter Clark (omitted)
Team Selection | |||
B: | Jarryn Geary | Nathan Brown | Shane Savage |
HB: | Callum Wilkie | Josh Battle | Jimmy Webster |
C: | Jack Newnes | Sebastian Ross | Jack Sinclair |
HF: | Jack Billings | Josh Bruce | Matty Parker |
F: | Jack Lonie | Tim Membrey | Jade Gresham |
FOLL: | Rowan Marshall | Jack Steele | Jack Steven |
I/C: | Dean Kent | Blake Acres | Ben Paton |
| Ben Long |
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E: | Darragh Joyce | Nick Hind | Robbie Young |
| Jonathon Marsh |
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