St Kilda set to showcase five new faces from last year’s dazzling trade period in pre-season games
All five of St Kilda’s new recruits have hit the ground running at Moorabbin, with a trimmed up Paddy Ryder set to provide young gun Rowan Marshall a chop out in the ruck as the likes of Brad Hill and Zak Jones add a harder, faster edge.
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St Kilda is set to unveil all five new faces from last year’s blockbuster trade period across two pre-season games against Hawthorn later this month.
Star recruits Brad Hill, Zak Jones, Paddy Ryder, Dan Butler and Dougal Howard are all expected to be available for selection in the first two games of the year under new coach Brett Ratten.
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Former Swan Daniel Hannebery and gun defender Dylan Roberton, who is back from a career-threatening heart problem, are also in the selection mix.
The Saints will take on the Hawks at RSEA Park next Thursday night in a clash which could draw as many as 10,000 fans to Moorabbin, followed by a bushfire fundraiser scratch match against Alastair Clarkson’s troops in Morwell on February 28.
St Kilda enjoyed a brilliant trade period last season, adding an explosive edge and more physicality to its midfield unit.
The club wants to use the early-season matches to help build chemistry and connection among the new-look group.
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Football manager Simon Lethlean said the club was pleased with the shape of the squad heading into the pre-season matches.
“We have pretty good availability, but there are a few guys who won’t play full minutes (in the pre-season games),” Lethlean said.
“At this stage there will some management with Ryder across the course of the year but all of those (new) guys are in full training at the moment.”
However, gun ruckman Rowan Marshall, Western Australian Hill and playmakers Jack Billings and Jade Gresham are all a chance to play in the State of Origin bushfire relief game instead of the second game against the Hawks.
The Saints are still waiting for confirmation on which players will be selected for Victoria and the All-Stars at Marvel Stadium.
Encouragingly for the Saints, the injury list is relatively short.
Captain Jarryn Geary (leg), Seb Ross (calf) and Matt Parker (ankle) are all on modified programs as they work their way back from injuries.
Ryder has also lost at least four kilograms to preserve his mobility heading into his 14th season after passing up the chance to return to Essendon late last year.
At St Kilda, Ryder will work in tandem with Marshall, who is tipped to replace injured Melbourne big man Max Gawn in the State of Origin bushfire relief game.