The Saints are one of the harder clubs to read in 2016, especially after resting many of their big games in the opening NAB Challenge loss to North Melbourne.
With their second pre-season game cancelled due to torrential rain, most of St Kilda’s best 22 only had the one interclub hit-out before the season proper.
After having his 2015 season cut short with injury, third year player Jack Billings impressed in the NAB Challenge playing through the midfield, while showing he is also a dangerous forward with four goals in the two games.
Luke Dunstan and Jack Lonie are among the young guns expected to feature for the Saints this year, but the core of the team will again be Riewoldt, Montagna, Armitage and Fisher.
For St Kilda, the positive of only having two pre-season games is the reduced risk of injuries - the Saints have made it to Round 1 with only one player ruled unavailable for selection.
Captain Nick Riewoldt left the field during the final NAB Challenge game with a lower leg injury, but St Kilda’s high performance manage Jamie Cox says he will play against the Power on Easter Sunday.
“The captain is fine. He obviously left the ground as what people reported as an injury, but he really got his leg just in time. He should be right for Round 1,” Cox told the St Kilda website.
Riewoldt is joined by the 2014 top draft pick Paddy McCartin (hamstring), Nick O’Kearney (ankle) and Jimmy Webster (wrist) who have overcome injuries and will face fitness tests before selection.
Port Adelaide hosts St Kilda in AFL Opening Round on Easter Sunday, March 27 at 2:50pm (ACDT).
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