St Kilda has made one initial change to the side that narrowly lost to reigning premiers Hawthorn in Tasmania, with Luke Dunstan and Jimmy Webster returning from injury to join the preliminary squad to face Greater Western Sydney at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Dunstan and Webster missed the trip to the apple isle due to hamstring and quad issues respectively. Young midfielder Eli Templeton has both been omitted after coming in for the second game of his campaign at Aurora Stadium last weekend, with the 25-man squad to be trimmed on Friday afternoon to the final 22.
Both Dunstan and Webster were influential in St Kilda’s stunning victory over Collingwood in Round 3, producing the best performances of their seasons in the 29-point win before succumbing to minor soft tissue injuries in the wake of that game. Whilst Tim Membrey and Billy Longer have both been included in the squad for what could be their first senior game of 2016.
After being concussed late in last weekend’s three-point loss against Hawthorn, small defender Jarryn Geary has named to play against the Giants after passing medical protocols during the week. The St Kilda leader nullified four-time premiership Hawk Cyril Rioli before departing the game in the last quarter due to a big collision.
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Following a wait of nearly two years to add to his career tally of 13 games last week, Tom Lee has held his spot after an impressive first-up performance in a defensive key post. The former key forward has been transformed into a backman and with the Giants possessing Jeremy Cameron, Jonathan Patton and mobile tall Rory Lobb deep inside 50, the West Australian is likely to be handed a tough assignment on Sunday.
Ultra-reliable defender Sean Dempster could be handed the tough role of stopping All Australian Greater Western Sydney full forward Cameron, who is set for his first game of 2016 after missing the first month of the season due to a suspension in the NAB Challenge series. The Giants all-time leading goal kicker booted nine goals across two games against the Saints last season, but in a half opposed to Dempster the Dartmoor product registered only one goal.
With the Giants boasting one of the deepest midfields in the game, loaded with emerging young guns, St Kilda’s engine room will need to continue its strong start to 2016.
Ruckman Tom Hickey has thrived with the No. 1 ruck responsibility, averaging 34.8 hit-outs (ranked equal 4th in the AFL), 12.3 possessions and 3.3 clearances, but an encounter with Shane Mumford will be the toughest task he has faced yet this season.
In Launceston last weekend, star midfielder David Armitage returned to the form that saw him enter the upper echelon of onballers in the competition last season, collecting a season-high 35 possessions, six tackles and five inside 50s to be St Kilda’s best player.
With the Giants midfield containing Dylan Shiel, Callan Ward, Tom Scully and Stephen Coniglio, amongst others, Alan Richardson will need Armitage and Jack Steven to spearhead a collective assault against the games newest franchise.
An even spread of midfield contribution has been a theme across the opening four rounds, with emerging onballers Jack Newnes, Seb Ross, Luke Dunstan and Jack Billings all taking their games to the next level in the early part of the season. And it is that level of contribution the Saints will require at Docklands on Sunday.
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The final 22 will be announced at 5pm on Friday afternoon.
