St Kilda adds more players with Arryn Siposs and Cam Shenton the 34th Saints used this season

ST KILDA has named Arryn Siposs and Cam Shenton for their first games of the season, while Carlton recalled Chris Yarran.

Carlton regains playmaker Chris Yarran for Monday’s match against St Kilda. Picture: Michael Klein

ST KILDA has named Arryn Siposs and Cam Shenton for their first games of the season, bringing to 34 the number of Saints to have played in the opening eight rounds.

Siposs, 21, has not played since Round 19 last year, but has regained a spot after working hard on his defensive skills.

“I’ve tried to focus more on the defensive side of my game, getting my tackles up and working hard to put pressure on in the forward half,’’ Siposs said. “I feel like I’ve done that for a good four or five weeks now and it feels good.”

“I’ve spoken to Richo every week and he seems to be pretty happy with how I’m going,’’ the 25-gamer told the club website. “I just need to keep having that defensive mindset and the rest will work itself out.

St Kilda forward Arryn Siposs in action. Picture: Michael Klein

“I think I’m absolutely a better player now than what I was this time last year.”

He expects to be used as a permanent forward, rather than further up the field.

Rookie Cameron Shenton, who was elevated to the senior list during the week after defender Sam Gilbert was placed on the long-term injury list, comes into the squad for just his second AFL match and is expected to line up in the backline.

For the first time St Kilda will take the field with all three of its 2013 first-round draft picks: Jack Billings (3), Luke Dunstan (18) and Blake Acres (19).

Siposs, Shenton, Clint Jones and Josh Bruce were named on the interchange bench, with Brodie Murdoch, Terry Milera and Josh Saunders named as emergencies. Jarryn Geary is out with an injured elbow, while Tom Simpkin and Shane Savage were dropped, and played in the Sandrinham team that lost to Footscray by 40 points yesterday, the Zeabras’ first loss of the VFL season.

Carlton regains Chris Yarran and David Ellard on Monday night, with Tom Bell (finger) out injured and Kane Lucas omitted. The Blues cut Dennis Armfield, Jaryd Cachia and Matthew Watson from the extended interchange bench and named them as emergencies.

Originally published as St Kilda adds more players with Arryn Siposs and Cam Shenton the 34th Saints used this season