A win on the board with a young squad proved to be more than enough to secure the Saints’ first win of the year on Sunday.

Now, with a victory-starved Collingwood on the horizon, Brett Ratten might need to call in the cavalry to get the Saints over the line.

Dylan Roberton

Saints fans were surprised when Dylan Roberton wasn’t named for Round 2, but the 28-year-old could quickly find himself back in the fold.

With skipper Jarryn Geary ruled out for Round 3 with a hamstring strain, the red, white and black could benefit from an extra experienced head against the potent Collingwood offensive.

Coach Brett Ratten said after the Saints’ Round 2 triumph that Roberton had knuckled down to “work on a few things” in his game.

“Dyl did some fantastic work to get himself into a position for Round 1, and probably just had some signs where he was just not quite to the level that he’d like to be and where we’d like him to be,” Ratten said.

With Roberton’s diligence on the training track holding him in good stead, it could accelerate a possible recall for this week’s encounter against the Magpies.

Jimmy Webster

Coming up against one of the most well-oiled defences in the league, the Saints will need to match their opposition’s class with some refined skills across of their own half-back line.

Jimmy Webster could be the man to provide just that.

The rebounding defender hasn’t featured in the senior side since Round 8 of last season, with spates of hand and back injuries confining him to the sidelines.

But with Webster inching towards his best form, his inclusion into the side could add a layer of potency to the Saints’ counter-attack.

Able to play tall and small and not afraid to squeeze a precise kick through the middle of the ground, Webster’s clean footwork could come in handy this weekend.

Jonathon Marsh

A second run against his former side could be on the cards for Jonathon Marsh on Saturday afternoon.

The former Magpie lined up against the black and white last season, floating between offence and defence.

But now fully lodged into St Kilda’s attack, the heavy-duty speedster could be the point of difference to stretch the Collingwood defence of Jeremy Howe, Jack Crisp and Jordan Roughead thin.

After being named as emergency for the Saints’ past two outings, Marsh might just be on the cusp of his maiden appearance of 2020.

In contention…

Midfielders Luke Dunstan and Jack Sinclair will be looking to squeeze into the line-up when the Saints come up against one of the premier midfields of the competition this Saturday.

Jack Bytel is showing all the right signs at training, while draftee Ryan Byrnes has held his own on the track, impressing Seb Ross in the process.

Dean Kent will put his hand up for selection after overcoming a cold, while Josh Battle is firming for a spot after being named as an emergency for St Kilda’s past two outings.

Defenders Nathan Brown and Shane Savage continue to prove their value to the side with strong showings at RSEA Park and could add experience to the Saints’ young defence.

Round 2 line-up

IN: Carlisle, Coffield, Hind
OUT: Dunstan (omitted), Kent (omitted), Roberton (omitted)