ST KILDA has made five changes to the team that was defeated by Brisbane in Wellington last week, selecting debutant Blake Acres, elevated rookie Maverick Weller, Tom Simpkin, Billy Longer and Adam Schneider for the clash with Hawthorn.

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Three of the five omissions are due to injury, with Luke Dunstan the latest Saint to go down following an incident at training on Thursday.

"It's disappointing for Luke," Alan Richardson told SAINTS.com.au on Thursday afternoon.

"He's been really impressive as a young man. His attack on the footy and attack on the opposition has been as good as anyone on the team. It gives the opportunity for another young player to come in and play a role for us through the midfield.

"Maverick Weller will play a bit through there and Blake Acres will play through there too so that's exciting."

Acres, 18, has enjoyed a steep rise to prominence in recent weeks following an injury interrupted 2013 season and a couple of smaller setbacks earlier this year.

But the No.19 draft pick was one of Sandringham's best players last weekend in its 58-point win over Casey, collecting 21 disposals and demonstrating class and poise beyond his years.

Weller played 32 games for the Gold Coast since debuting in 2011 and has been the Zebras most consistent player this season, often tagging the opposition's best midfielder and winning plenty of the ball for himself in the process.

Eli Templeton's broken arm has been well documented, and the exciting young ball-winner is expected to miss most, if not all, of the season following surgery this week.
 

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Longer's inclusion is at the expense of Tom Hickey, who will miss with a foot injury.

Longer now has an opportunity to establish himself in the side after playing nine games at Brisbane and debuting for the Saints in round four against Adelaide.

As expected, Adam Schneider will return to the senior team after he sat out last week's Anzac Day clash in Wellington due to suspension. The left-footer was St Kilda's only multiple goal-kicker the last time these two teams met - booting three majors in round 20 last year.

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Finally, Tom Simpkin will play his first game in the red, white and black since round 19 last season, replacing Josh Bruce who has been omitted.

"Simpkin just loves the physicality," St Kilda development coach Paul Hudson said in his VFL player breakdown on Monday.

"When he tackles and hits hard, he really makes it count, and he finished with five tackles. He thrives on that."

Seb Ross, who has also missed out, has been named as an emergency alongside Trent Dennis-Lane and Bruce.

ST KILDA TEAM VS HAWTHORN

B: Simpkin                 Gwilt                Geary

HB: Dempster          Delaney           Webster

C: Acres                    Steven              Ray

HF: Montagna          Riewoldt          Weller

FF: Billings              Stanley             Jones

Foll: Longer, Newnes, Curren

Int: Saunders, Hayes, Schneider, Savage

Emerg: Dennis-Lane, Ross, Bruce

In: Acres (debut), Weller, Longer, Schneider, Simpkin
Out: Templeton (arm), Hickey (foot), Dunstan (concussion), Bruce, Ross