The first of St Kilda’s sidelined stars are set to trickle in ahead of one of the club’s biggest matches of the season.

Two of the Saints’ starting 22 are all but ready to take the field ahead of Time 2 Talk: Spud's Game, but with a string of strong performers from Saturday’s VFL practice match against North Melbourne, several players are in the mix for a senior call-up.

Zak Jones

Zak Jones is in prime position to tackle the Demons head-on after overcoming a left hamstring strain.

The No. 3 was touch-and-go for Sunday’s season opener, but with his hamstring history and the club’s injury list – plus a corkie leading up to Round 1 – taken into account, a conservative approach was taken.

Jones instead played three quarters for Sandringham over the weekend, working well in tandem on the inside alongside fellow Saint Brad Crouch.  

Max King

A stroke of bad luck on the golf course ruled Max King out of St Kilda’s opening round bout with the Giants, but the key forward is close to locked in for Round 2.

King’s potential inclusion is set to bolster the Saints’ offensive end, which was spearheaded in Round 1 by a best-on-ground performance from Tim Membrey.

Earlier in the year, the runner-up from last year’s club goalkicking bagged three goals in the club’s AAMI Community Series match against Carlton.

Luke Dunstan

An influential and hard-hitting half in the VFL has Luke Dunstan in the frame for a potential recall for Spud’s Game.

Despite his limited game-time rotating between the midfield and forward line, the 26-year-old was one of the most prominent figures on the ground, with Zebras coach Jake Batchelor praising his growing leadership.

Dunstan – who played just one senior game last season before being benched with a pectoral injury – was picked as a travelling emergency for the Saints’ trek up to a sodden Sydney last weekend.

In contention

Dean Kent will be in the hunt for a Round 2 return following his standout display against North Melbourne in last weekend’s VFL practice match.

Kent finished his afternoon at Arden Street with two goals, but most interestingly was deployed throughout the match as an explosive inside midfielder.

Jake Carlisle and Darragh Joyce were in good touch down back during the same game, with both able to shore up the Saints’ tall defensive stocks if required.

Meanwhile, Brad Crouch will be available for selection in Round 3.