Six new Saints will feature in Friday night’s long-awaited season opener against the Western Bulldogs at RSEA Park.

Draftees Alice Burke, Tyanna Smith, Jacqui Vogt and Renee Saulitis join free agent Tahlia Meyer in making their AFLW debuts, while Jayde Van Dyk will represent the red, white and black after 10 games for Carlton.

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Friday night will also see the inspirational returns of Tarni White and Nadia von Bertouch from their season-ending ACL injuries.

The Saints will be led by co-captains Rhiannon Watt, Cat Phillips, Kate Shierlaw and Hannah Priest, while three of St Kilda’s four Best & Fairest winners – Georgia Patrikios, Rosie Dillon and Caitlin Greiser – are set to take the field.

Isabella Shannon and Poppy Kelly have been named as emergencies.

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Small forward Nicola Xenos will sadly miss all of Season 2021 after scans confirmed a ruptured left ACL, sustained during training on Wednesday night.

Olivia Vesely (calf) and Molly McDonald (quad) will also sit out Round 1 through injury, while Tamara Luke (hamstring) and Selena Karlson (shin splints) are also unavailable for selection.

St Kilda will square off against the Western Bulldogs on Friday 29 January at RSEA Park, with the opening bounce locked in for 7:10pm.

IN: Burke (debut), Meyer (debut), Saulitis (debut), Smith (debut), Van Dyk (new), Vogt (debut)

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