St Kilda has included four youngsters in their 25-man squad for Sunday’s game against Richmond at the MCG, including father-son recruit Bailey Rice who is yet to make his debut.
Second-year half-back Brandon White, small forward Jack Lonie and athletic utility Daniel McKenzie have also been named on the extended bench, which will be trimmed to a final 22 on Friday afternoon.
Experienced defender Sam Gilbert is
With a spot in the top eight only a remote possibility, Sunday is likely to be the final game of Nick Riewoldt’s decorated career, with the champion forward hanging up his boots at the end of this season.
If the Saints are to live to fight another day, Hawthorn must beat the Western Bulldogs on Friday night, Fremantle has to beat Essendon on Sunday, Adelaide needs to beat West Coast on Sunday, and the Saints must beat the Tigers.
It’s an unlikely proposition, but that’s the pathway to September for St Kilda after Alan Richardson’s men relinquished control of their own destiny a fortnight ago.
After 17 seasons and 335 games, 34-year-old Riewoldt will depart the game as one of the greatest forwards of the modern era and one of the best players to ever wear the red, white and black.
When the two sides last met in Round 16, St Kilda produced arguably the most dominant half of football this season. The Saints booted 14 goals to one to open up an 82-point lead at half-time. By the final siren, St Kilda won by 67 points and firmed as a finals contender.
Unfortunately for the Saints, a three-game losing streak following that performance, plus a disappointing loss to Melbourne in Round 21 will ensure St Kilda misses the finals for a sixth successive season.
After not playing at the MCG since the penultimate round of 2016, the Saints return to the home of football for the second time in three weeks, where Damien Hardwick’s side has won eight of 10 games this year.
Round 23 Team v Richmond
MCG
B: Jarryn Geary, Nathan Brown, Dylan Roberton
HB: Jack Newnes, Jake Carlisle, Jimmy Webster
C: Jack Billings, Luke Dunstan, Shane Savage
HB: Blake Acres, Nick Riewoldt, Jack Sinclair
F: Jade Gresham, Josh Bruce, Tim Membrey
R: Billy Longer, Seb Ross, Jack Steven
Interchange from: Jack Steele, Jack Lonie, Koby Stevens, Brandon White, Daniel McKenzie, Bailey Rice, Maverick Weller
IN: D. McKenzie, J. Lonie, B. White, B. Rice
OUT: S. Gilbert (abdominal strain)
NEW: B. Rice
Milestone: T. Membrey – 50 games
