The Saints have turned to young gun Hunter Clark, defender Darragh Joyce, ruckman Rowan Marshall and mature-age rookie Jonathon Marsh for the all-important clash with the Giants on Saturday afternoon.

Joyce replaces veteran defender Nathan Brown, who has been left out of the side, while Rowan Marshall returns in place of Billy Longer after battling illness in Round 6.

Jack Lonie is out with a well-documented knee injury, while Jack Steven has taken leave to overcome mental health and wellbeing issues.

Marsh’s return to the AFL is one of the stories of the year, with the key defender not playing at the elite level since 2016.

The 23-year-old retired from the Magpies at the end of that season to deal with mental health issues and was thrown a lifeline by the Saints in March under new supplemental player rules.

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Irishman Darragh Joyce has also been rewarded for his persistence after a month of strong form in the VFL.

The agile defender has been forced to bide his time after being omitted following the Round 1 win over the Suns.

Joyce won a crucial one-on-one battle with Peter Wright late in that game to help secure the four points and is certain to go to one of the Giants’ mobile forwards.

Clark is another who hasn’t done a lot wrong this season, putting in a solid performance in his last outing in Round 4 against the Hawks.

With Steven taking an extended break away from football, the youngster has been given first crack at securing a place in Alan Richardson’s midfield.

Rowan Marshall has been brought straight back in after being a late withdrawal against the Crows.

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The Portland product has been one of the Saints’ most improved players in Season 2019 and will need to be at his best against an in-form Shane Mumford.

The Saints face the Giants at 1.45pm at UNSW Canberra oval.