RUCKMAN Lewis Pierce will play his first game in Saints colours on Thursday night after being named in St Kilda’s 27-man squad to take on Hawthorn at Etihad Stadium.

The 202cm ex-Dandenong Stingray is one of four inclusions for the match, with rookie Adam Schneider, defender Dylan Roberton and forward Spencer White all named for the final game of the pre-season.

Longer’s pain is Pierce’s gain, the 20-year-old having enjoyed his best summer on the track since arriving at the club with pick 75 in the 2012 National Draft. 

Stress fractures in his back meant Pierce didn’t play in the VFL until round 12. He was named as an emergency on two occasions late in the season but couldn’t quite force his way into the senior side.

LAUNCHED: Saints Membership March

Schneider had his first hit out for the pre-season last Friday night at Trevor Barker Beach Oval after missing the intra club and the first two NAB Challenge games.

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Spencer White will join Tom Lee, Paddy McCartin, Tim Membrey and Josh Bruce in the forward half in an inclusion that will excite Saints fans. While at the other end of the field Dylan Roberton has sufficiently recovered from a hamstring injury that kept him sidelined for two weeks.

Jarryn Geary, Billy Longer and David Armitage have been rested and will be available for selection ahead of St Kilda's round one clash with GWS. Armitage and Geary in particular are experienced players and as a result need to be managed ahead of the home and away season. Neither these two or Longer are in danger of missing round one.

All Saints members will get in free to Thursday night’s game. 

IN: Schneider, Roberton, White, Pierce

OUT: Ross, Geary, Longer, Armitage, Saunders, Holmes